Birds in Hampshire
Explore 214 species found in this region.
Hampshire is home to an impressive 207 recorded bird species, reflecting the county's rich diversity 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. Birdwatchers can enjoy sightings of notable species such as the Great Grey Shrike, Eurasian Woodcock, and Mandarin Duck in woodland settings, while estuarine areas attract waders and wildfowl including Northern Lapwing, Common Shelduck, and Northern Pintail. Whether you are a seasoned birder or a casual nature enthusiast, Hampshire offers outstanding year-round birdwatching opportunities.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Jaeger and Bar-headed Goose arriving this month, and Black-necked Grebe and Eurasian Bittern depart for the season.
Showing 47–69 of 214 species
Corn Bunting
Emberiza calandraLC
A rare breeding bird on Hampshire's chalk downland, having suffered severe national decline. Singing males favour open arable fields in spring.
Mar–Jul
Cuckoo
Cuculus canorusLC
An uncommon summer visitor heard calling across heathland and woodland from April to July. Declining nationally, but still breeds in Hampshire's wilder habitats.
Apr–Jul
Curlew
Numenius arquataNT
A common year-round resident with its evocative call heard over estuaries, harbours, and farmland. Breeding numbers are declining nationally.
Year-round
Curlew Sandpiper
Calidris ferrugineaNT
A rare passage wader seen on coastal pools and mudflats, mainly in late summer and autumn. Hampshire's harbours attract small numbers annually.
Apr–Oct
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.
Year-round
Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLC
Present year-round but uncommon, favouring coastal mudflats and estuaries. Numbers peak in winter at sites like Langstone Harbour.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacaLC
An uncommon but increasing resident found year-round on lakes, gravel pits, and river meadows across Hampshire.
Year-round
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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.
Year-round
Eurasian Bittern
Botaurus stellarisLC
A rare passage visitor in late winter, occasionally seen booming or flushed from reedbeds at sites like Titchfield Haven and the Blashford Lakes.
Feb–Mar
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
A common year-round resident in towns, villages, and farmland. Its monotonous cooing call is a familiar garden sound.
Year-round
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
A colourful resident of Hampshire's broadleaf woodlands and mature gardens. Particularly conspicuous in autumn when gathering and caching acorns.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
Present year-round but most conspicuous in winter, when flocks visit alder trees and garden feeders across the county.
Year-round
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
An uncommon resident of open farmland and downland, singing in hovering display flight. Numbers have declined significantly across Hampshire.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
Eurasian Stone-curlew
Burhinus oedicnemusLC
A rare passage visitor in May, occasionally noted on chalk downland. Hampshire's Salisbury Plain fringes offer the closest regular breeding habitat.
May
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
Common on coastal marshes and flooded grasslands, with large wintering flocks at sites like Keyhaven and the Test valley.
Aug–Jun
Eurasian Woodcock
Scolopax rusticolaLC
A rare passage visitor in spring, favouring damp woodland and heathland. Most likely encountered during roding flights at dusk.
Feb–Jun
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.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
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.
Year-round