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 185–207 of 214 species
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striataLC
A declining summer visitor arriving in May, favouring woodland edges and mature gardens. Sallies out from exposed perches to catch flying insects.
May–Sep
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.
Jun–Apr
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.
Year-round
Stonechat
Saxicola torquatusLC
A common year-round resident of Hampshire's heathlands and gorse-covered coastal areas. Often perches prominently, flicking its tail.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
Tree Pipit
Anthus trivialisLC
An uncommon summer visitor breeding on Hampshire's heathlands and open woodland. Delivers its distinctive song during a parachuting display flight.
Apr–Sep
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.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
Spotted something?
Upload a photo to identify it
Identify
Tundra Bean Goose
Anser serrirostrisLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded in January. May turn up among flocks of other wintering geese on wetlands.
Jan
Velvet Scoter
Melanitta fuscaVU
A rare non-breeding visitor to Hampshire's coastal waters, occasionally seen off the Solent from November to January.
Nov–Jan
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.
Nov–Apr
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.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
Western Sandpiper
Calidris mauriLC
An extremely rare Nearctic vagrant with occasional October records. Any sighting in Hampshire is a major event for local birders.
Oct
Wheatear
Oenanthe oenantheLC
An uncommon visitor to Hampshire's open downland and coastal grassland during spring and autumn passage, with a gap in midsummer. Bobs and flits across short turf.
Mar–Oct
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopusLC
An uncommon passage wader, most often seen on coastal mudflats and harbours during spring and autumn migration, with distinctive seven-note whistling call.
Apr–Jan
Whinchat
Saxicola rubetraLC
An uncommon passage migrant seen on Hampshire's heaths and coastal scrub in spring and autumn. Perches prominently on fences and low bushes.
May–Oct
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.
Oct–Mar
Whitethroat
Curruca communisLC
A common summer visitor arriving in April, singing from hedgerows and scrubby farmland edges across the county. Departs by September for sub-Saharan Africa.
Apr–Sep
Willow Warbler
Phylloscopus trochilusLC
An uncommon and declining summer breeder favouring scrubby heathland and woodland edges, particularly in the New Forest. Present from March to October.
Mar–Oct
Wilson's Phalarope
Phalaropus tricolorLC
A rare American vagrant, occasionally recorded on passage in autumn. Any Hampshire sighting draws keen interest from county birders.
Oct
Wood Sandpiper
Tringa glareolaLC
A rare passage wader seen at freshwater marshes and scrapes from July to September, favouring sites like the Avon Valley and Keyhaven.
Jul–Sep
Wood Warbler
Phylloscopus sibilatrixLC
A rare passage migrant in late spring, occasionally singing in mature beech and oak woodland. Has declined sharply as a Hampshire breeder.
May–Jun