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 93–115 of 138 species
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
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
A rare winter visitor to flooded fields and pools, most likely seen between autumn and early spring on low-lying farmland.
Sep–Mar
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
An uncommon non-breeding visitor to the county's lakes and pools, present from autumn through to spring. Favours shallow, muddy waters.
Sep–Apr
Osprey
Pandion haliaetusLC
A rare but thrilling passage migrant in spring and autumn, occasionally spotted fishing over the county's larger pools and reservoirs.
Apr–Sep
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
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Pink-footed Goose
Anser brachyrhynchusLC
A rare passage visitor in March and October, occasionally seen flying over farmland or settling on flooded fields during migration.
Oct–Mar
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
A rare winter visitor to lakes and reservoirs, this declining diving duck occurs from October to March.
Oct–Mar
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
Red Grouse
Lagopus lagopus scoticaLC
A rare and unexpected visitor, occasionally recorded in summer. This upland grouse is far from its usual moorland haunts.
Jul
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
Red-necked Phalarope
Phalaropus lobatusLC
An exceptionally rare autumn passage visitor, with September records. A remarkable find on any Herefordshire pool or reservoir.
Sep
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellataLC
A rare November passage visitor to inland waters. This coastal diver is a scarce but exciting find in the county.
Nov
Redwing
Turdus iliacusNT
A common winter visitor from October to April, foraging in hedgerows and orchards. Often detected by its thin "tseep" flight call on autumn nights.
Oct–Apr
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
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatusLC
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally pausing on the Black Mountains' fringes and hilltops in April en route to upland breeding grounds.
Apr
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
A rare passage visitor in September, occasionally stopping at gravel scrapes and reservoir edges on autumn migration.
Sep
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
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
A common breeding visitor, nesting colonially in sandy riverbanks along the Wye from March to October.
Mar–Oct