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 47–69 of 138 species
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 Bee-eater
Merops apiasterLC
A rare and dazzling summer vagrant, occasionally recorded in July. A thrilling find in the county's warm river valleys.
Jul
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 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
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
Fieldfare
Turdus pilarisLC
A common winter visitor arriving in October, forming chattering flocks that roam hedgerows and orchards for berries.
Oct–Apr
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Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
An uncommon resident found on lakes and reservoirs, though largely absent during midsummer. Numbers increase in winter.
Aug–May
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
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
Goldeneye
Bucephala clangulaLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally seen on larger pools and reservoirs in January, March, and December.
Dec–Mar
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
Great White Egret
Ardea albaLC
An uncommon but increasingly seen resident, often stalking fish in the shallows of the Wye and Lugg floodplains.
Jul–Apr
Green Sandpiper
Tringa ochropusLC
An uncommon resident found along streams and muddy pool edges. Often solitary and easily overlooked, bobbing nervously before flying off.
Jun–Apr
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
Greenshank
Tringa nebulariaLC
A rare but regular autumn passage wader, pausing at reservoirs and pools from July to October on its way south.
Jul–Oct
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