Birds to See in Herefordshire in May
95 species matching this filter.
Herefordshire in May is a wonderful time for birdwatching, with 97 species recorded across the county's diverse habitats of rolling farmland, ancient woodlands, orchards, and the meandering River Wye. Summer migrants such as Garden Warbler and Cetti's Warbler join resident favourites like European Green Woodpecker and Common Kingfisher, making it one of the most rewarding months for birding in the region. The river corridors attract species such as Common Sandpiper and Great Cormorant, while hedgerows and gardens come alive with the songs of warblers and the flash of Goldcrests among the foliage.
Resident
(71)
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
Abundant in gardens, hedgerows and woodland throughout the county. A familiar sight foraging on Herefordshire's lawns in every season.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
A common resident, breeding in woodland and scrub. Winter numbers are boosted by continental birds visiting garden feeders.
Year-round
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
One of the county's most familiar garden birds, present year-round and a regular visitor to feeders and nest boxes.
Year-round
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
An uncommon but year-round resident, favouring thick hedgerows and orchards. Often seen in pairs feeding quietly on buds and berries.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
A common and conspicuous resident, frequently seen soaring over the county's rolling farmland and wooded hills. Herefordshire is a stronghold.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common resident found on lakes, rivers and farmland pools throughout the county, often in noisy flocks on gravel banks.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
A common and conspicuous resident across all habitats, from farmland and woodland to towns and gardens.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common resident found in woodlands, hedgerows, and gardens throughout the year. One of the county's most familiar songbirds.
Year-round
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
A common year-round resident whose repetitive song is heard in woodland and hedgerows. Some overwinter in sheltered valleys.
Year-round
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
A common resident of coniferous and mixed woodland, readily visiting garden feeders, especially in winter months.
Year-round
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
An uncommon but prized resident along the Wye and Lugg, flashing electric blue along clean riverbanks year-round.
Year-round
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
An uncommon resident breeding along the Wye and its tributaries. Often seen in small parties fishing the clear, fast-flowing stretches.
Year-round
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
Abundant year-round across farmland and hedgerows, sustained by regular releases for shooting on the county's many estates.
Year-round
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
A common resident thriving in the county's hilly western borderlands. Its deep, resonant croak and acrobatic flight are unmistakable.
Year-round
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
A year-round resident, now uncommon due to long-term decline. Gathers in large winter roosts, often around towns and reedbeds.
Year-round
Coot
Fulica atraLC
An uncommon year-round resident on larger pools and lakes, often sharing habitat with Moorhens but preferring open water.
Year-round
Dipper
Cinclus cinclusLC
An uncommon but iconic resident of fast-flowing streams, bobbing on rocks along the Wye, Lugg, and their tributaries.
Year-round
Dunnock
Prunella modularisLC
A common but unobtrusive resident of hedgerows and garden shrubberies across the county, often shuffling quietly along the ground.
Year-round
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
An uncommon resident found around farms, villages, and gardens, less numerous here than in many English counties.
Year-round
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
An uncommon but noisy resident of the county's oak woodlands, often betrayed by its harsh screeching call in autumn.
Year-round
Eurasian Nuthatch
Sitta europaeaLC
A common resident of mature deciduous woodland and parkland, often heard calling loudly from old oaks and beeches.
Year-round
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
A common resident favouring conifer and alder woodland. Numbers swell in winter when flocks visit garden feeders across the county.
Year-round
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
A common resident of open farmland and meadows, delivering its song in hovering flight over Herefordshire's rolling fields.
Year-round
Eurasian Wren
Troglodytes troglodytesLC
One of Herefordshire's most abundant residents, its powerful song rings out from dense undergrowth in gardens, hedgerows and woodland year-round.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A common and colourful resident, often seen in lively flocks on teasel and thistle heads along Herefordshire's field margins and gardens.
Year-round
European Green Woodpecker
Picus viridisLC
An uncommon resident of old orchards, parkland, and woodland edges, its laughing call a familiar countryside sound.
Year-round
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
An uncommon year-round resident, often seen at landfill sites and playing fields. Numbers have declined significantly in recent decades.
Year-round
European Robin
Erithacus rubeculaLC
A familiar year-round resident of Herefordshire's gardens, hedgerows and woodlands, singing its sweet, melancholic song even through winter.
Year-round
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
An uncommon resident found on lakes and reservoirs, though largely absent during midsummer. Numbers increase in winter.
Aug–May
Goldcrest
Regulus regulusLC
A common resident of coniferous and mixed woodland year-round, often located by its thin, high-pitched call. Numbers swell in autumn with continental arrivals.
Year-round
Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carboLC
A common resident along the River Wye and at reservoirs, often seen perched with wings outstretched to dry.
Year-round
Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatusLC
An uncommon resident breeding on larger pools and reservoirs. Its elaborate courtship display is a highlight of early spring.
Aug–Jun
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos majorLC
A common resident of the county's abundant woodlands and mature gardens, its loud drumming a characteristic sound of early spring.
Year-round
Great Tit
Parus majorLC
A common and familiar garden and woodland resident, readily visiting feeders throughout the year.
Year-round
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
A common garden and farmland resident year-round, though numbers have declined in recent years due to disease. Often visits feeders.
Year-round
Grey Heron
Ardea cinereaLC
A common and stately resident, standing sentinel along the Wye and its tributaries year-round. Breeds in established heronries.
Year-round
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinereaLC
A common year-round resident along Herefordshire's rivers and streams, bobbing its long tail on rocks. The Wye and its tributaries are key habitat.
Year-round
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
An uncommon resident, with feral populations frequenting lakes, pools, and riverside meadows across the county almost year-round.
Aug–Jun
House Sparrow
Passer domesticusLC
A common year-round resident closely tied to farms, villages, and towns. Nests in roof spaces and hedgerows across the county.
Year-round
Jackdaw
Corvus monedulaLC
A common and sociable resident, nesting in church towers and old buildings. Large flocks gather over farmland in autumn and winter.
Year-round
Kestrel
Falco tinnunculusLC
An uncommon resident hovering over roadside verges and farmland. Has declined in Herefordshire as in much of lowland England.
Year-round
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscusLC
An uncommon resident often seen soaring over farmland or loafing on playing fields, with numbers boosted in summer.
Year-round
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
An uncommon resident of farmland hedgerows and rough ground, often in small flocks. Has declined with changes in agricultural practices.
Year-round
Little Egret
Egretta garzettaLC
Recorded as a common resident year-round. Frequents waterways and pools, though this species is far more typical of the Americas.
Year-round
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollisLC
An uncommon resident on ponds, lakes, and quiet stretches of river, breeding discreetly among marginal vegetation.
Year-round
Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatusLC
A common resident of hedgerows and woodland edges, often seen in lively, acrobatic flocks moving through Herefordshire's orchards and gardens year-round.
Year-round
Magpie
Pica picaLC
A bold and conspicuous resident, commonly seen in gardens, farmland hedgerows, and along roadsides throughout the year.
Year-round
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
A common year-round resident on rivers, pools and farmland ditches across the county. Readily seen along the River Wye.
Year-round
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
An uncommon but established resident, favouring wooded stretches of the Wye and Arrow valleys where overhanging trees provide nest holes.
Year-round
Marsh Tit
Poecile palustrisLC
An uncommon but valued resident of mature deciduous woodland; Herefordshire's oak woods provide good habitat for this declining species.
Year-round
Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensisLC
An uncommon resident of the county's upland pastures and rough grassland, particularly on the hills bordering Wales.
Year-round
Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorusLC
A bold, upright thrush found in parkland, orchards and open fields. Often one of the first birds to sing in late winter from tall treetops.
Year-round
Moorhen
Gallinula chloropusLC
An uncommon but widespread resident of ponds, ditches and river margins, often betrayed by its loud, sharp calls from dense vegetation.
Year-round
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
A familiar year-round resident on the River Wye and its tributaries, often seen gliding gracefully on calm stretches and gravel pits.
Year-round
Northern Goshawk
Accipiter gentilisLC
A rare but increasing resident of large forests, including woodlands along the Wye Valley. Secretive and seldom seen despite year-round presence.
Oct–Aug
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellusNT
A rare and declining resident, breeding on wet pastures in spring; winter flocks gather on ploughed fields.
May–Mar
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinusLC
A rare but year-round resident, occasionally seen hunting over the county's river valleys and around Hereford Cathedral.
Year-round
Red Kite
Milvus milvusLC
A common and iconic resident, soaring over farmland and valleys; Herefordshire lies near the heart of its reintroduction success.
Year-round
Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufaNT
An uncommon resident of arable farmland, largely sustained by releases for shooting. Often seen in small coveys along field margins.
Jan–Nov
Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclusLC
An uncommon resident of wetland margins, reedbeds and damp farmland ditches. Males sing from prominent stems in the breeding season.
Year-round
Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
Feral populations are uncommon but present year-round, mainly around Hereford and other towns. True wild Rock Doves are absent.
Year-round
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
A common and sociable resident, nesting in noisy rookeries in tall trees across the county's pastoral farmland.
Year-round
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelosLC
A common year-round resident, singing its rich repeated phrases from hedgerows and gardens across the county.
Year-round
Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLC
An uncommon but widespread resident, hunting small birds through woodland edges, hedgerows, and gardens year-round.
Year-round
Stock Dove
Columba oenasLC
A common resident of farmland, parkland, and old orchards, nesting in tree holes throughout the county year-round.
Year-round
Stonechat
Saxicola torquatusLC
A rare resident found on rough grassland and gorse-covered commons. Often perches prominently, flicking its tail and giving a sharp call.
Year-round
Tawny Owl
Strix alucoLC
An uncommon but widespread resident of mature woodlands and parkland, more often heard than seen with its familiar hooting call at dusk.
Year-round
Treecreeper
Certhia familiarisLC
An uncommon but year-round resident, spiralling up tree trunks in mature woodland and parkland across the county.
Year-round
Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligulaLC
An uncommon resident on deeper lakes and pools, with numbers bolstered in winter. Breeds locally at suitable still-water sites.
Aug–Jun
Woodpigeon
Columba palumbusLC
An abundant resident found in farmland, woodland and gardens throughout the county. Large flocks gather on arable fields in autumn and winter.
Year-round
Yellowhammer
Emberiza citrinellaLC
An uncommon but characteristic resident of the county's hedgerows and arable margins, singing its distinctive song from exposed perches year-round.
Year-round
Breeding
(22)
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A common summer visitor breeding in barns and outbuildings across the county's farmland, arriving in April and departing by October.
Apr–Oct
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
An uncommon summer breeder favouring the county's mature oak woodlands, arriving in April. The male's fiery orange tail is unmistakable.
Apr–Aug
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
A rare summer breeder, arriving in April to nest in reedbeds along the county's rivers and wetland margins.
Apr–Aug
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
An uncommon breeding visitor along the River Wye and its tributaries, bobbing on rocks from April to October.
Apr–Oct
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
A common summer visitor screaming over towns and villages from late April to August. Nests under eaves in older buildings.
Apr–Sep
Cuckoo
Cuculus canorusLC
An uncommon summer visitor arriving in April, its distinctive call echoing across farmland and woodland edges. Now declining nationally.
Apr–Jul
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegusNT
An uncommon breeding visitor to river shingle banks along the Wye and Lugg, arriving from February and departing by autumn.
Feb–Oct
European Pied Flycatcher
Ficedula hypoleucaLC
A rare and prized breeding visitor to western oak woodlands, particularly around the Wye Valley. Readily uses nestboxes from April to July.
Apr–Jul
Garden Warbler
Sylvia borinLC
An uncommon summer breeder in dense scrub and woodland edges from April to August, more often heard than seen.
Apr–Aug
House Martin
Delichon urbicumLC
A common summer visitor, building mud nests under eaves in towns and villages from April to October.
Apr–Oct
Lesser Whitethroat
Curruca currucaLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April, favouring tall hedgerows and scrubby thickets across the county's lowland farmland.
Apr–Sep
Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubiusLC
A rare summer breeder, nesting on bare gravel at quarries and riverbanks. Present from March to August before heading south.
Mar–Aug
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare and nomadic breeder in conifer plantations, notably in the Forest of Dean fringes. Presence varies with cone crop availability.
Mar–Nov
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
A common breeding visitor, nesting colonially in sandy riverbanks along the Wye from March to October.
Mar–Oct
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
An uncommon summer breeder in reedbeds and waterside scrub along the county's rivers and pools, arriving from April.
Apr–Aug
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striataLC
A declining summer visitor arriving in May, favouring mature parkland, churchyards and woodland edges where it sallies for insects from exposed perches.
May–Sep
Tree Pipit
Anthus trivialisLC
A rare and declining summer breeder on heathy hillsides and woodland edges, performing its distinctive parachuting song flight.
Apr–Aug
Wheatear
Oenanthe oenantheLC
A rare breeder on open hillsides along the county's western uplands from April to September, favouring short-grazed pasture and stone walls.
Apr–Sep
Whitethroat
Curruca communisLC
A common summer breeder, singing from hedgerows and scrubby field margins from April. Departs by late August.
Apr–Aug
Willow Warbler
Phylloscopus trochilusLC
An uncommon summer breeder in woodland edges and scrubby hillsides, arriving from March. Its gentle descending song is a sign of spring.
Mar–Oct
Wood Warbler
Phylloscopus sibilatrixLC
A rare breeding visitor to Herefordshire's sessile oak woodlands from April to June, recognised by its shimmering, accelerating trill.
Apr–Jun
Yellow Wagtail
Motacilla flavaLC
A rare and declining summer breeder, found in lowland pastures and arable fields near the Lugg and Wye floodplains from April to September.
Apr–Sep
Passage
(2)
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
A rare passage visitor in spring, occasionally heard giving its explosive song from dense waterside scrub along the Wye and Lugg valleys.
Mar–May
Whinchat
Saxicola rubetraLC
A rare passage migrant glimpsed briefly in spring and late summer on rough grassland and upland margins of the county.
May–Jul