Birds to See in Hampshire in February

143 species matching this filter.

All birds in Hampshire

Hampshire in February offers rewarding birdwatching despite the winter chill, with around 143 species recorded across the county's diverse habitats. From the coastal mudflats of the Solent and Langstone Harbour to the ancient woodlands of the New Forest, birders can encounter everything from wintering Bramblings and Goldeneye to resident specialities such as Cetti's Warbler. Great White Egrets and Greenshanks add a touch of the unexpected, while large gatherings of gulls, herons and wildfowl make this a particularly productive month for waterbird enthusiasts.

Resident

(117)
Avocet

Avocet

Recurvirostra avosettaLC

An uncommon but year-round resident, favouring the mudflats and shallow lagoons of Hampshire's harbours, especially Langstone and Chichester.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Bar-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit

Limosa lapponicaNT

A rare but year-round presence on Hampshire's coastal mudflats, especially in the Solent harbours. Numbers peak during winter and passage periods.

Rarely spotted

Year-round

Barn Owl

Barn Owl

Tyto albaLC

A rare and elusive resident, hunting over Hampshire's farmland and grasslands at dusk. Benefits from nest box schemes across the county.

Rarely spotted

Dec–Sep

Barnacle Goose

Barnacle Goose

Branta leucopsisLC

A rare resident, present most months. Often of uncertain origin, mixing with feral flocks on lakes and gravel pits.

Rarely spotted

Jul–May

Bearded Tit

Bearded Tit

Panurus biarmicusLC

A rare resident of Hampshire's reedbeds, with key sites along the Solent coast. Listen for distinctive pinging calls in autumn.

Rarely spotted

Jun–Apr

Black-tailed Godwit

Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa limosaNT

Present year-round in small numbers, favouring the Solent harbours and coastal marshes. Hampshire hosts nationally important wintering flocks.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Blackbird

Blackbird

Turdus merulaLC

One of Hampshire's most familiar garden birds, present year-round. Numbers swell in autumn with continental migrants joining resident birds.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Blackcap

Blackcap

Sylvia atricapillaLC

A common resident found in woodland, hedgerows and gardens year-round. Winter birds from the continent supplement the breeding population.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Blue Tit

Blue Tit

Cyanistes caeruleusLC

A ubiquitous year-round resident, readily visiting garden feeders across Hampshire. Thrives in the county's woodlands, hedgerows and parks.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Brent Goose

Brent Goose

Branta berniclaLC

An uncommon but characteristic sight on the Solent harbours year-round. Large flocks graze eelgrass on mudflats in winter.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Bullfinch

Bullfinch

Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC

A shy resident of hedgerows and scrubby woodland edges. Often detected by its soft, melancholy call; a UK priority species due to ongoing declines.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Buzzard

Buzzard

Buteo buteoLC

A common year-round resident, frequently seen soaring over farmland, woodland edges, and the New Forest throughout the county.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Canada Goose

Canada Goose

Branta canadensisLC

A common year-round resident found on lakes, rivers, and gravel pits across the county. Often forms large moulting flocks in summer.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Carrion Crow

Carrion Crow

Corvus coroneLC

A common and adaptable resident found across all Hampshire habitats, from urban centres to remote farmland. Intelligent and resourceful throughout the year.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Cattle Egret

Cattle Egret

Bubulcus ibisLC

A rare but increasingly regular resident, part of a recent colonisation of southern England. Often found among livestock on Hampshire's farmland.

Rarely spotted

Year-round

Cetti's Warbler

Cetti's Warbler

Cettia cettiLC

A resident warbler that has colonised Hampshire's reedbeds and dense waterside vegetation. More often heard than seen, with its explosive, unmistakable song.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Chaffinch

Chaffinch

Fringilla coelebsLC

One of Hampshire's most abundant residents, found in woods, hedgerows, and gardens year-round. Its cheerful song is a hallmark of spring.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

Phylloscopus collybitaLC

A common year-round resident, increasingly overwintering in Hampshire. Its repetitive two-note song is one of the earliest heard in spring.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Coal Tit

Coal Tit

Periparus aterLC

An uncommon resident favouring coniferous and mixed woodland, particularly in the New Forest. Regularly visits garden feeders in winter.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Common Gull

Common Gull

Larus canusLC

Present year-round but most numerous in winter on playing fields, reservoirs and coastal areas. Less common than Herring or Black-headed Gulls.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Common Kingfisher

Common Kingfisher

Alcedo atthisLC

An uncommon but year-round resident along Hampshire's rivers and streams, often glimpsed as a flash of electric blue.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Common Merganser

Common Merganser

Mergus merganserLC

A rare resident, scarce on Hampshire's rivers and lakes. Most often seen in winter months, absent during midsummer.

Rarely spotted

Aug–May

Common Pheasant

Common Pheasant

Phasianus colchicusLC

Widespread and common across Hampshire's farmland, woodland edges and downland throughout the year. Numbers bolstered by regular releases for shooting.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Common Raven

Common Raven

Corvus coraxLC

Has spread steadily across Hampshire in recent decades after a long absence. Now an uncommon but increasing resident, often seen over downland and wooded valleys.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Common Redpoll

Common Redpoll

Acanthis flammeaLC

An uncommon visitor to birch and alder woodland, most often seen in winter flocks. Scarce during the breeding season in Hampshire.

Uncommonly spotted

Jul–Apr

Common Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucosLC

Found year-round along rivers, reservoirs and coastal margins, bobbing characteristically on rocks. Numbers peak during autumn passage.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Common Scoter

Common Scoter

Melanitta nigraLC

A rare sea duck seen offshore along Hampshire's coast, mainly in winter and during passage. Largely absent during midsummer months.

Rarely spotted

Aug–May

Common Shelduck

Common Shelduck

Tadorna tadornaLC

A common year-round resident of coastal mudflats and estuaries. Breeds along the Solent harbours and Southampton Water.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Common Snipe

Common Snipe

Gallinago gallinagoLC

An uncommon resident of wet meadows, marshes and waterlogged fields. More conspicuous in winter when numbers are boosted by continental arrivals.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Common Starling

Common Starling

Sturnus vulgarisLC

A common year-round resident, often seen on lawns and rooftops. Winter roosts can number thousands, with spectacular murmurations over towns and reedbeds.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Coot

Coot

Fulica atraLC

A common year-round resident on lakes, reservoirs, and gravel pits. Often gathers in large flocks during winter.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Curlew

Curlew

Numenius arquataNT

A common year-round resident with its evocative call heard over estuaries, harbours, and farmland. Breeding numbers are declining nationally.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Dartford Warbler

Dartford Warbler

Curruca undataNT

An uncommon but iconic resident of New Forest and other Hampshire heathlands. One of the UK's key strongholds for this sedentary warbler.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Dunlin

Dunlin

Calidris alpinaLC

Present year-round but uncommon, favouring coastal mudflats and estuaries. Numbers peak in winter at sites like Langstone Harbour.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Dunnock

Dunnock

Prunella modularisLC

A common and unobtrusive resident of Hampshire's hedgerows, gardens, and woodland undergrowth. Often shuffles quietly along the ground beneath bird feeders.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Egyptian Goose

Egyptian Goose

Alopochen aegyptiacaLC

An uncommon but increasing resident found year-round on lakes, gravel pits, and river meadows across Hampshire.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Eider

Eider

Somateria mollissimaNT

Found along the Solent coast and harbours year-round, though uncommon. Most often seen around the Isle of Wight approaches and Langstone Harbour.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Collared Dove

Eurasian Collared Dove

Streptopelia decaoctoLC

A common year-round resident in towns, villages, and farmland. Its monotonous cooing call is a familiar garden sound.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Jay

Eurasian Jay

Garrulus glandariusLC

A colourful resident of Hampshire's broadleaf woodlands and mature gardens. Particularly conspicuous in autumn when gathering and caching acorns.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Nuthatch

Eurasian Nuthatch

Sitta europaeaLC

A common resident of Hampshire's mature deciduous woodlands. Often heard before seen, giving loud ringing calls from oak and beech trees.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Haematopus ostralegusNT

Common year-round along Hampshire's coast, particularly in the Solent harbours. Breeds on shingle beaches and feeds on mudflats and estuaries.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Siskin

Eurasian Siskin

Spinus spinusLC

Present year-round but most conspicuous in winter, when flocks visit alder trees and garden feeders across the county.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Skylark

Eurasian Skylark

Alauda arvensisLC

An uncommon resident of open farmland and downland, singing in hovering display flight. Numbers have declined significantly across Hampshire.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Spoonbill

Eurasian Spoonbill

Platalea leucorodiaLC

A rare but increasingly regular presence, favouring Hampshire's coastal marshes and harbours. Numbers have grown in recent years, particularly around the Solent.

Rarely spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Wigeon

Eurasian Wigeon

Mareca penelopeLC

Common on coastal marshes and flooded grasslands, with large wintering flocks at sites like Keyhaven and the Test valley.

Commonly spotted

Aug–Jun

Eurasian Wren

Eurasian Wren

Troglodytes troglodytesLC

One of Hampshire's most abundant residents, found in virtually every habitat with dense cover. Its powerful song rings out from hedgerows and gardens year-round.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

European Goldfinch

European Goldfinch

Carduelis carduelisLC

A common and colourful year-round resident, often seen in flocks on seed heads. Readily visits garden feeders, especially nyjer seed.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

European Green Woodpecker

European Green Woodpecker

Picus viridisLC

Resident in parkland, orchards and woodland edges, often heard giving its loud laughing call. Feeds mainly on ants in short grassland.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

European Herring Gull

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.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

European Robin

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.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

European Shag

European Shag

Phalacrocorax aristotelisLC

A rare resident along the Hampshire coast, favouring rocky structures and harbour walls. Scarce but present most months.

Rarely spotted

Aug–May

Firecrest

Firecrest

Regulus ignicapillaLC

An uncommon but year-round resident, favouring coniferous and mixed woodland in the New Forest. Hampshire is a national stronghold for this tiny crest.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Gadwall

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.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Goldcrest

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.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Great Black-backed Gull

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.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Great Cormorant

Great Cormorant

Phalacrocorax carboLC

A common year-round resident found along rivers, lakes, and the coast. Often seen perched with wings outstretched to dry.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Great Crested Grebe

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.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Dendrocopos majorLC

A common resident of woodlands, parks, and mature gardens throughout Hampshire. Its drumming is a familiar sound in spring.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Great Tit

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.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Great White Egret

Great White Egret

Ardea albaLC

An uncommon but increasingly regular resident, often seen at wetland sites such as the Avon valley and Blashford Lakes throughout the year.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Green Sandpiper

Green Sandpiper

Tringa ochropusLC

A rare but year-round visitor to watercress beds, streams and flooded fields. Often solitary and easily flushed from muddy margins.

Rarely spotted

Jun–Apr

Greenfinch

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.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Greenshank

Greenshank

Tringa nebulariaLC

An uncommon but year-round presence on Hampshire's estuaries and harbours. Most frequently encountered during autumn passage on coastal mudflats.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Grey Heron

Grey Heron

Ardea cinereaLC

A common year-round resident, breeding in heronries across the county. Easily seen along rivers, lakes, and garden ponds.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Grey Plover

Grey Plover

Pluvialis squatarolaLC

An uncommon but year-round presence on coastal mudflats. Numbers peak in winter along the Solent and harbour estuaries.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Grey Wagtail

Grey Wagtail

Motacilla cinereaLC

An uncommon resident found along Hampshire's streams and rivers year-round. Bobs its tail constantly while foraging on rocks and weirs.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Greylag Goose

Greylag Goose

Anser anserLC

An uncommon year-round resident on lakes, reservoirs, and river meadows. Feral populations breed alongside other geese.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Hawfinch

Hawfinch

Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC

A rare and elusive resident, with the New Forest being a national stronghold. Best looked for in winter around hornbeam and yew trees.

Rarely spotted

Oct–Jun

House Sparrow

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.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Jackdaw

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.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Kestrel

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.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscusLC

An uncommon year-round resident, often seen at landfill sites, playing fields, and coastal roosts. Numbers increase in summer.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

Dryobates minorLC

A rare and declining resident of Hampshire's broadleaved woodlands. Best detected by its high-pitched call in early spring before the canopy fills in.

Rarely spotted

Jan–May

Linnet

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.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Little Egret

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.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Little Grebe

Little Grebe

Tachybaptus ruficollisLC

An uncommon but year-round resident on sheltered ponds, lakes, and slow-flowing rivers. Its distinctive whinnying call often reveals its presence.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Long-tailed Tit

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.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Magpie

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.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Mallard

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchosLC

Abundant and familiar year-round on rivers, ponds, lakes and estuaries across Hampshire. Readily seen in parks and gardens.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Mandarin Duck

Mandarin Duck

Aix galericulataLC

A rare but year-round resident, favouring wooded lakes and rivers. The New Forest and surrounding estates offer suitable habitat.

Rarely spotted

Year-round

Marsh Tit

Marsh Tit

Poecile palustrisLC

An uncommon resident of mature deciduous woodland, particularly in the New Forest. Declining nationally but still holds territory in Hampshire.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Meadow Pipit

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.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Mistle Thrush

Mistle Thrush

Turdus viscivorusLC

An uncommon but widespread resident, often singing from tall treetops even in midwinter. Favours parkland and woodland edges across the county.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Moorhen

Moorhen

Gallinula chloropusLC

Common and widespread on ponds, rivers and ditches throughout Hampshire all year. Frequently seen in parks and gardens near water.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Mute Swan

Mute Swan

Cygnus olorLC

A common and elegant resident gracing rivers, lakes, and harbours throughout the county all year round.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Northern Goshawk

Northern Goshawk

Accipiter gentilisLC

A rare and secretive resident of Hampshire's larger forests, including the New Forest. A recovering species, slowly increasing in the county.

Rarely spotted

Year-round

Northern Lapwing

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.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Northern Pintail

Northern Pintail

Anas acutaLC

An elegant dabbling duck found mainly in winter on coastal marshes and estuaries. The Solent harbours hold important flocks.

Uncommonly spotted

Sep–May

Northern Shoveler

Northern Shoveler

Spatula clypeataLC

An uncommon resident found on shallow lakes and marshes year-round. Numbers increase in winter at key wetland sites.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinusLC

An uncommon year-round resident, nesting on tall structures in towns like Winchester and Southampton. Hunts over estuaries and open ground.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Pochard

Pochard

Aythya ferinaVU

Present year-round on lakes and reservoirs but declining nationally. Winter numbers are supplemented by continental birds at sites like Blashford Lakes.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Red Crossbill

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostraLC

A rare but resident finch of the New Forest's conifer plantations. Irruptive movements bring variable numbers; its crossed bill is adapted for extracting pine seeds.

Rarely spotted

Year-round

Red Kite

Red Kite

Milvus milvusLC

An uncommon but increasing resident, now regularly soaring over Hampshire's downs and farmland. Part of the successful UK reintroduction programme.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Red Knot

Red Knot

Calidris canutusNT

A rare wader found on Hampshire's coastal mudflats, mainly in winter. Small flocks occur in the Solent harbours, with a brief absence in early summer.

Rarely spotted

Jul–May

Red-legged Partridge

Red-legged Partridge

Alectoris rufaNT

A scarce resident of open arable farmland and chalk downland. Populations are largely sustained by releases, and sightings remain infrequent.

Rarely spotted

Year-round

Redshank

Redshank

Tringa totanusLC

Common on Hampshire's coastal marshes and estuaries throughout the year. Breeds on saltmarshes and its piping call is a familiar harbour sound.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Reed Bunting

Reed Bunting

Emberiza schoeniclusLC

An uncommon resident of reedbeds, wet meadows and scrubby ditches. Found at key wetland sites across Hampshire throughout the year.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Ringed Plover

Ringed Plover

Charadrius hiaticulaLC

An uncommon resident found on coastal shingle and estuarine mudflats. Breeds on Hampshire's beaches but faces pressure from disturbance.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Rock Dove

Rock Dove

Columba liviaLC

A common year-round resident in Hampshire's towns and cities, where feral populations thrive on buildings and coastal cliffs alike.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Rock Pipit

Rock Pipit

Anthus petrosusLC

An uncommon resident found along Hampshire's rocky and shingle coastline. Forages among seaweed and rocks on the Solent shore year-round.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Rook

Rook

Corvus frugilegusLC

Common across Hampshire's farmland, nesting in noisy rookeries in tall trees. Large flocks forage in arable fields and pastures year-round.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Ruddy Turnstone

Ruddy Turnstone

Arenaria interpresLC

An uncommon but year-round resident along Hampshire's rocky and shingle shorelines, often seen flipping seaweed on the Solent coast.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Sanderling

Sanderling

Calidris albaLC

A rare but regular visitor to sandy shores along the Hampshire coast, mostly seen outside summer. Often found in small flocks on open beaches.

Rarely spotted

Aug–May

Sandwich Tern

Sandwich Tern

Thalasseus sandvicensisLC

Present year-round along the Solent and harbours, with numbers peaking in spring and late summer. Often seen plunge-diving for fish.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Song Thrush

Song Thrush

Turdus philomelosLC

A familiar garden and woodland resident, often heard singing from treetops. Readily identified by its habit of smashing snail shells on favourite stone anvils.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Sparrowhawk

Sparrowhawk

Accipiter nisusLC

An uncommon but widespread resident, hunting small birds in woodland, hedgerows and gardens. Often detected by panicked alarm calls of prey.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Spotted Redshank

Spotted Redshank

Tringa erythropusLC

Present most of the year at coastal estuaries and harbours, though rare. Best looked for at Keyhaven and the Solent mudflats.

Rarely spotted

Jun–Apr

Stock Dove

Stock Dove

Columba oenasLC

A common year-round resident of Hampshire's woodlands, parkland and farmland. Often overlooked but identified by its distinctive cooing and black wing-bars.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Stonechat

Stonechat

Saxicola torquatusLC

A common year-round resident of Hampshire's heathlands and gorse-covered coastal areas. Often perches prominently, flicking its tail.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Tawny Owl

Tawny Owl

Strix alucoLC

A resident of mature woodland, more often heard than seen. Its familiar hooting call carries through Hampshire's woods on still nights.

Rarely spotted

Year-round

Treecreeper

Treecreeper

Certhia familiarisLC

Resident in Hampshire's mature broadleaved woodlands, spiralling up tree trunks in search of insects. Easiest to locate by its high-pitched descending song in spring.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Tufted Duck

Tufted Duck

Aythya fuligulaLC

Frequents freshwater lakes and gravel pits across Hampshire year-round, with notable gatherings at sites like Blashford Lakes and Alresford Pond.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Water Rail

Water Rail

Rallus aquaticusLC

A secretive year-round resident of Hampshire's reedbeds and marshes. More often heard than seen, with its pig-like squealing call betraying its presence.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Western Marsh-harrier

Western Marsh-harrier

Circus aeruginosusLC

An uncommon resident quartering over Hampshire's reedbeds and coastal marshes. Breeds at key wetland sites and is increasingly seen year-round.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Woodlark

Woodlark

Lullula arboreaLC

A rare breeding bird found on the heathlands of the New Forest. Its melodious song can be heard from February as birds establish territories.

Rarely spotted

Feb–Nov

Woodpigeon

Woodpigeon

Columba palumbusLC

An abundant year-round resident found in virtually every habitat across Hampshire. Large flocks gather on farmland in autumn and winter.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Yellowhammer

Yellowhammer

Emberiza citrinellaLC

An uncommon resident of Hampshire's farmland hedgerows and field margins. Its bright yellow head and distinctive song are characteristic of arable countryside.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Non-breeding

(22)
Black-necked Grebe

Black-necked Grebe

Podiceps nigricollisLC

A rare non-breeding visitor found on sheltered harbours and reservoirs from autumn to early spring. Christchurch Harbour is a favoured site.

Rarely spotted

Oct–Mar

Brambling

Brambling

Fringilla montifringillaLC

A rare winter visitor from Scandinavia, sometimes joining Chaffinch flocks in Hampshire's beech woodlands and farmland. Numbers vary greatly between years.

Rarely spotted

Oct–Apr

Common Loon

Common Loon

Gavia immerLC

A rare winter visitor to the Solent and larger harbours, occasionally lingering into early spring. Known locally as Great Northern Diver.

Rarely spotted

Oct–Apr

Fieldfare

Fieldfare

Turdus pilarisLC

A winter visitor from Scandinavia, arriving from October and lingering into April. Flocks roam Hampshire's hedgerows and fields feeding on berries and fallen fruit.

Uncommonly spotted

Oct–Apr

Golden Plover

Golden Plover

Pluvialis apricariaLC

An uncommon non-breeding visitor forming flocks on farmland and coastal marshes from autumn through early spring.

Uncommonly spotted

Sep–Mar

Goldeneye

Goldeneye

Bucephala clangulaLC

An uncommon winter visitor to Hampshire's reservoirs and gravel pits from November to April. Males display a striking white face patch.

Uncommonly spotted

Nov–Apr

Great Grey Shrike

Great Grey Shrike

Lanius excubitorLC

A rare winter visitor, occasionally found on Hampshire's heathlands, particularly in the New Forest. Perches prominently while scanning for prey.

Rarely spotted

Nov–Mar

Greater Scaup

Greater Scaup

Aythya marilaLC

A rare winter visitor from December to April. Occasionally found on sheltered coastal waters and larger inland lakes.

Rarely spotted

Dec–Apr

Greater White-fronted Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose

Anser albifronsLC

A rare winter visitor arriving in December and lingering into February. Occasionally found grazing on coastal marshes and flood meadows.

Rarely spotted

Dec–Feb

Horned Grebe

Horned Grebe

Podiceps auritusVU

A rare winter visitor to sheltered coastal waters and harbours. Most likely seen between November and March on the Solent.

Rarely spotted

Nov–Mar

Jack Snipe

Jack Snipe

Lymnocryptes minimusLC

A secretive winter visitor to boggy marshes and watermeadows, rarely flushing until almost underfoot. Most reliably found from November to March.

Rarely spotted

Nov–Mar

Long-tailed Duck

Long-tailed Duck

Clangula hyemalisVU

A rare non-breeding visitor from November to February. Occasionally seen on coastal waters along the Solent.

Rarely spotted

Nov–Feb

Merlin

Merlin

Falco columbariusLC

A rare winter visitor to open heathland and coastal marshes, present from October to March. Fast, low-flying and easily overlooked.

Rarely spotted

Oct–Mar

Purple Sandpiper

Purple Sandpiper

Calidris maritimaLC

A rare winter visitor to Hampshire's rocky coastal structures and groynes. Most likely seen at Hurst Spit or harbour walls in the coldest months.

Rarely spotted

Nov–Feb

Red-breasted Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Mergus serratorLC

A non-breeding visitor to Hampshire's harbours and estuaries from autumn through spring. Favours the sheltered waters of Langstone and Chichester Harbours.

Uncommonly spotted

Oct–Apr

Red-necked Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Podiceps grisegenaLC

A rare winter visitor to sheltered coastal waters and harbours, typically seen between November and February.

Rarely spotted

Nov–Feb

Redwing

Redwing

Turdus iliacusNT

A common winter visitor arriving from Scandinavia in October. Feeds in hedgerows and on berry-laden bushes across Hampshire's farmland and parks until spring.

Commonly spotted

Oct–Apr

Rose-ringed Parakeet

Rose-ringed Parakeet

Alexandrinus krameriLC

A rare non-breeding visitor, occasionally seen in parks and gardens. Hampshire lies on the edge of the expanding south-east England population.

Rarely spotted

Aug–Apr

Ruff

Ruff

Philomachus pugnaxLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to coastal marshes and flooded fields, most likely seen during autumn passage and winter months.

Rarely spotted

Aug–Apr

Water Pipit

Water Pipit

Anthus spinolettaLC

A rare winter visitor to Hampshire's watercress beds and wet meadows, present from November to April. Easily overlooked among Meadow Pipits.

Rarely spotted

Nov–Apr

White-tailed Sea-eagle

White-tailed Sea-eagle

Haliaeetus albicillaLC

A rare non-breeding visitor, linked to the Isle of Wight reintroduction programme. Occasionally wanders to Hampshire's coast and marshes.

Rarely spotted

Oct–Mar

Yellow-legged Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Larus michahellisLC

A rare non-breeding visitor, most often seen from late summer through winter among mixed gull flocks at tips and coastal roosts.

Rarely spotted

Jul–Mar

Passage

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Frequently Asked Questions