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 70–92 of 138 species
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC
A rare passage visitor, though Herefordshire's woodlands are a national stronghold. Look in late winter and autumn around cherry and hornbeam trees.
Nov–Mar
Hobby
Falco subbuteoLC
A rare summer passage visitor, this agile falcon hunts dragonflies and hirundines over wetlands from June to September.
Jun–Sep
House Martin
Delichon urbicumLC
A common summer visitor, building mud nests under eaves in towns and villages from April to October.
Apr–Oct
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
Coloeus 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
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Dryobates minorLC
A rare and declining species, occasionally noted in old orchards and mature woodland. One of Britain's most threatened birds.
Sep–Mar
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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
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
Little Owl
Athene noctuaLC
A rare visitor to old orchards and farmland with mature trees, occasionally noted in June and October.
Jun–Oct
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
Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalisVU
A rare passage visitor, with records confined to November. This sea duck is a genuine oddity on Herefordshire's inland waters.
Nov
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
Merlin
Falco columbariusLC
A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally glimpsed dashing low over hedgerows in November while hunting small birds.
Nov
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