Common Birds in Hampshire
55 species matching this filter.
Hampshire is home to 55 commonly seen bird species, thriving across a rich variety of habitats from the ancient woodlands of the New Forest to the coastal mudflats of the Solent and the chalk downlands of the South Downs. Familiar species such as Carrion Crow, Dunnock, and Chiffchaff are widespread throughout the county, while Eurasian Nuthatch and Goldcrest can be found in mature woodland, and European Herring Gulls are a regular sight along the coast. Many of these species also feature in our guide to 23 Common Garden Birds in the UK (Full Guide with Pictures), making Hampshire a rewarding county for birdwatchers of all levels.
Showing 24–46 of 55 species
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
A common and familiar sight year-round at harbours, landfill sites and urban rooftops. Numbers bolstered in winter by continental arrivals.
Year-round
European Robin
Erithacus rubeculaLC
An abundant and much-loved resident of Hampshire's gardens, woodlands, and hedgerows. Sings throughout the year and is boldly territorial at feeding stations.
Year-round
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
A common year-round resident on Hampshire's lakes, gravel pits, and waterways. Often seen in pairs or small groups dabbling quietly.
Year-round
Goldcrest
Regulus regulusLC
A common resident of Hampshire's conifer woods and gardens, often heard giving its thin, high-pitched call. Numbers swell in autumn with continental migrants.
Year-round
Great Black-backed Gull
Larus marinusLC
A bulky, imposing gull found year-round along the Solent coast and harbours. Often dominates other gulls at feeding sites.
Year-round
Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carboLC
A common year-round resident found along rivers, lakes, and the coast. Often seen perched with wings outstretched to dry.
Year-round
Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatusLC
A common resident on Hampshire's larger lakes and reservoirs, performing elaborate courtship displays in spring. Also frequents coastal waters in winter.
Year-round
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos majorLC
A common resident of woodlands, parks, and mature gardens throughout Hampshire. Its drumming is a familiar sound in spring.
Year-round
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Great Tit
Parus majorLC
A common year-round garden and woodland bird, readily visiting feeders. Its bold 'teacher-teacher' song is one of the first heard in spring.
Year-round
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
A common year-round resident in gardens and hedgerows, though numbers have declined sharply due to trichomonosis disease since the mid-2000s.
Year-round
Grey Heron
Ardea cinereaLC
A common year-round resident, breeding in heronries across the county. Easily seen along rivers, lakes, and garden ponds.
Year-round
House Sparrow
Passer domesticusLC
A common resident closely tied to urban and suburban areas. Hampshire populations have declined but remain widespread around towns and villages.
Year-round
Jackdaw
Corvus monedulaLC
A common and sociable resident, nesting in church towers, old trees and chimneys. Often seen in noisy flocks with rooks over farmland.
Year-round
Kestrel
Falco tinnunculusLC
A familiar year-round resident, often seen hovering over Hampshire's downland, roadside verges, and farmland while hunting for voles and small mammals.
Year-round
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
A common resident of Hampshire's farmland, heaths, and coastal scrub. Forms sociable flocks outside the breeding season, often along the coast.
Year-round
Little Egret
Egretta garzettaLC
Now a common resident after colonising in the 1990s. Easily seen along Hampshire's estuaries, harbours and coastal marshes year-round.
Year-round
Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatusLC
Commonly seen in noisy family flocks moving through hedgerows and woodland edges. A charming year-round resident across the county.
Year-round
Magpie
Pica picaLC
A bold and conspicuous resident, abundant in gardens, parks, and farmland across Hampshire. Easily recognised by its striking black-and-white plumage.
Year-round
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
Abundant and familiar year-round on rivers, ponds, lakes and estuaries across Hampshire. Readily seen in parks and gardens.
Year-round
Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensisLC
A common resident of open grassland and heathland, particularly the New Forest. Numbers increase in winter with birds from upland areas.
Year-round
Moorhen
Gallinula chloropusLC
Common and widespread on ponds, rivers and ditches throughout Hampshire all year. Frequently seen in parks and gardens near water.
Year-round
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
A common and elegant resident gracing rivers, lakes, and harbours throughout the county all year round.
Year-round
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellusNT
Present year-round on farmland and coastal marshes. Winter flocks gather on fields, though breeding numbers on Hampshire's farmland continue to decline.
Year-round