Birds in Herefordshire
Explore 138 species found in this region.
Herefordshire is a richly diverse county for birdwatching, with 138 recorded species thriving across its patchwork of rolling farmland, ancient orchards, river valleys, and wooded hillsides. The River Wye and its tributaries attract species such as the Common Kingfisher and Common Sandpiper, while the county's meadows and hedgerows support birds like the European Green Woodpecker and Eurasian Collared Dove. From wintering wildfowl such as the Eurasian Wigeon and Goldeneye to the elusive call of the Common Quail in summer, Herefordshire offers rewarding birding throughout the year.
Visiting in April? Look out for Barn Owl and Barn Swallow arriving this month, and Cetti's Warbler and Common Gull depart for the season.
Showing 24–46 of 138 species
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
An uncommon non-breeding visitor to alder and birch woodland, typically present from autumn through early spring in small flocks.
Sep–Apr
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 Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
Rare passage visitor in March, occasionally dropping in at gravel pits or flooded meadows along the Wye and Lugg valleys.
Mar
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
An uncommon non-breeding visitor to wet meadows and marshy fields, present from autumn to spring. Often flushed from ditches.
Sep–Apr
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
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
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Coot
Fulica atraLC
An uncommon year-round resident on larger pools and lakes, often sharing habitat with Moorhens but preferring open water.
Year-round
Cuckoo
Cuculus canorusLC
An uncommon summer visitor arriving in April, its distinctive call echoing across farmland and woodland edges. Now declining nationally.
Apr–Jul
Curlew
Numenius arquataNT
A rare passage bird in spring, once more widespread as a breeder. Declining nationally, now mainly seen passing through.
Feb–Apr
Dipper
Cinclus cinclusLC
An uncommon but iconic resident of fast-flowing streams, bobbing on rocks along the Wye, Lugg, and their tributaries.
Year-round
Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLC
A rare passage migrant glimpsed at reservoir margins and muddy scrapes in July and September during autumn migration.
Jul–Sep
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 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
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 Tree Sparrow
Passer montanusLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally noted around farmyards and arable field edges. Has declined severely across much of England.
Jan–Mar
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
An uncommon winter visitor to flooded pastures and reservoirs, present from September through to April.
Sep–Apr
Eurasian Woodcock
Scolopax rusticolaLC
A rare passage visitor in winter months, flushed from damp woodland floors and hedgerows in January and March.
Jan–Mar