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 162–184 of 214 species
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.
Year-round
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.
Oct–Apr
Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclusLC
An uncommon resident of reedbeds, wet meadows and scrubby ditches. Found at key wetland sites across Hampshire throughout the year.
Year-round
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatusLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally seen on Hampshire's chalk downland in October. Distinguished from Blackbird by its pale breast crescent.
Oct
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
An uncommon resident found on coastal shingle and estuarine mudflats. Breeds on Hampshire's beaches but faces pressure from disturbance.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
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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.
Aug–Apr
Roseate Tern
Sterna dougalliiLC
A rare breeding visitor from May to July, favouring shingle and coastal sites. One of Britain's scarcest breeding seabirds.
May–Jul
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensisLC
A rare passage visitor, now extremely scarce following the national eradication programme. Occasionally recorded in November.
Nov
Ruddy Shelduck
Tadorna ferrugineaLC
A rare summer passage visitor of uncertain origin, occasionally appearing on lakes and reservoirs from June to August.
Jun–Aug
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.
Year-round
Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to coastal marshes and flooded fields, most likely seen during autumn passage and winter months.
Aug–Apr
Sabine's Gull
Xema sabiniLC
A rare pelagic gull very occasionally storm-blown to Hampshire waters. Most records follow severe autumn or winter gales.
Jan
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
An uncommon summer visitor breeding in sandy riverbanks and gravel pits. Often seen hawking insects over Hampshire's lakes and waterways from spring to early autumn.
Mar–Oct
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.
Aug–May
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.
Year-round
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
An uncommon summer breeder found in reedbeds and waterside scrub at sites like Titchfield Haven and the Blashford Lakes from April to September.
Apr–Sep
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeusLC
A rare passage and winter visitor, hunting over coastal marshes and open downland, mainly in November and January.
Nov–Jan
Snow Bunting
Plectrophenax nivalisLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally turning up along Hampshire's coast in November. Prefers shingle beaches and open shoreline habitats.
Nov
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.
Year-round
Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLC
An uncommon but widespread resident, hunting small birds in woodland, hedgerows and gardens. Often detected by panicked alarm calls of prey.
Year-round