Birds in Essex
Explore 212 species found in this region.
Essex is a remarkably rewarding county for birdwatching, with 208 recorded species found across its diverse mosaic of coastal marshes, estuaries, ancient woodlands and urban parklands. The Thames Estuary and the Blackwater and Colne estuaries provide internationally important habitat for wintering wildfowl and waders, including Brent Goose, Eurasian Wigeon and Northern Pintail. From scarce visitors like the Great Grey Shrike and Great Skua to established populations of Mandarin Duck and Common Shelduck, the county offers exceptional birding opportunities throughout the year.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Black Swan arriving this month, and Arctic Loon and Brambling depart for the season.
Showing 139–161 of 212 species
Nightingale
Luscinia megarhynchosLC
Essex is a national stronghold for this uncommon summer breeder, arriving in April to sing from dense scrub in woodland and coastal thickets.
Apr–Jul
Northern Gannet
Morus bassanusLC
A rare passage visitor seen offshore from late summer into autumn. Strong onshore winds may push birds closer to Essex's coast.
Aug–Nov
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellusNT
A common resident of farmland and coastal marshes, though breeding numbers are declining. Large winter flocks gather on arable fields across Essex.
Year-round
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
An uncommon non-breeding visitor to Essex estuaries and marshes, arriving in autumn and departing by spring.
Aug–Apr
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
A common year-round resident, often seen sweeping its distinctive spatulate bill through shallow waters at Abberton Reservoir and coastal marshes.
Year-round
Northern Waterthrush
Parkesia noveboracensisLC
A very rare transatlantic vagrant, occasionally recorded along the Essex coast. Any sighting generates considerable excitement among local birders.
Jan
Osprey
Pandion haliaetusLC
A rare but thrilling passage visitor seen over reservoirs and estuaries from July to October, occasionally hovering before plunging for fish.
Jul–Oct
Pectoral Sandpiper
Calidris melanotosLC
A rare Nearctic wader appearing briefly in July and September at freshwater marshes and coastal scrapes.
Jul–Sep
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Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinusLC
An uncommon year-round resident increasingly seen around towns and estuaries, hunting waders and pigeons across the Essex skyline.
Year-round
Pink-footed Goose
Anser brachyrhynchusLC
A rare passage visitor in January and February, occasionally seen among other goose flocks on coastal marshes.
Jan–Feb
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
A common resident on reservoirs and gravel pits, though nationally declining; numbers swell in winter.
Year-round
Pomarine Jaeger
Stercorarius pomarinusLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally spotted from Essex headlands during seawatches in September and October.
Sep–Oct
Purple Sandpiper
Calidris maritimaLC
A rare winter visitor to rocky coastal structures and groynes. Essex offers limited suitable habitat, so sightings are infrequent.
Nov–Jan
Razorbill
Alca tordaLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally spotted offshore in November. Strong onshore winds may push birds closer to Essex seawatching points.
Nov
Red Kite
Milvus milvusLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, now seen soaring over farmland and motorways year-round following successful reintroduction programmes nearby.
Year-round
Red Knot
Calidris canutusNT
Uncommon on Essex estuaries, with flocks gathering on mudflats in winter; largely absent during midsummer months.
Aug–May
Red-backed Shrike
Lanius collurioLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally appearing on coastal scrub and hedgerows along the Essex coast in September.
Sep
Red-breasted Goose
Branta ruficollisVU
A rare vagrant occasionally found among Brent Goose flocks on the Essex coast, mainly in November and January.
Nov–Jan
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serratorLC
An uncommon non-breeding visitor found along Essex estuaries and coastal waters from October to April, often diving in tidal channels.
Oct–Apr
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufinaLC
A rare but year-round resident, occasionally seen on larger reservoirs and gravel pits. Part of a slowly expanding feral population in south-east England.
Year-round
Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufaNT
An uncommon resident of arable farmland and field margins. An introduced species, more frequent in drier parts of the county.
Year-round
Red-necked Grebe
Podiceps grisegenaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to Essex's coastal waters and estuaries in winter. Most records come from the Thames Estuary and offshore.
Nov–Mar
Red-necked Phalarope
Phalaropus lobatusLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally spotted spinning on pools at coastal reserves in October. A delicate and highly sought-after wader.
Oct