Birds in Hertfordshire
Explore 153 species found in this region.
Hertfordshire's diverse landscape of reservoirs, river valleys, ancient woodlands, and farmland supports an impressive array of 153 recorded bird species. From the striking Mandarin Duck and Red-crested Pochard found on the county's lakes and waterways to familiar garden visitors like the Great Tit and Magpie, the region offers rewarding birdwatching throughout the year. Notable wetland sites attract waders such as the Northern Lapwing and Common Sandpiper, while the Eurasian Woodcock can be encountered in the county's wooded areas.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Common Reed-warbler arriving this month, and Common Merganser and Eurasian Bittern depart for the season.
Showing 24–46 of 153 species
Common Loon
Gavia immerLC
A rare passage visitor, with occasional November records at larger reservoirs. Known as Great Northern Diver in Britain, always a notable county find.
Nov
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to rivers and reservoirs during winter months. Known locally as Goosander, occasionally seen on the Lea and Colne valleys.
Nov–Mar
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
Widespread and common across farmland, woodland edges and hedgerows year-round. Populations are largely sustained by regular releases for shooting.
Year-round
Common Quail
Coturnix coturnixLC
A rare and elusive passage visitor, occasionally heard calling from cereal fields in late summer. Far more often heard than seen.
Aug
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, recolonising the county after a long absence; listen for its deep cronking call.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
An uncommon winter visitor to birch and alder woodland. Small flocks may appear from October to April, often mixing with Siskins.
Oct–Apr
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally glimpsed in scrubby habitats and hedgerows during August.
Aug
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
An uncommon summer breeder, favouring phragmites reedbeds at sites like Rye Meads and Tring Reservoirs.
Apr–Sep
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Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
An uncommon summer visitor, bobbing along reservoir edges and gravel pit shores from April. Most often noted on passage.
Apr–Oct
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
A rare visitor to Hertfordshire's larger waterbodies, mainly seen in winter and early spring. Occasionally breeds at reservoir margins.
Nov–Jun
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
An uncommon resident of wet meadows and marshes, more easily found in winter. Its drumming display is rarely heard in the county.
Aug–Jun
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
A common but declining resident of gardens, parks, and farmland. Winter numbers swell with continental arrivals forming impressive murmurations.
Year-round
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
A common summer breeder screaming over towns and villages from late April to August. Nests under eaves of older buildings across the county.
Apr–Sep
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
A common breeding summer visitor, nesting on rafts and islands at reservoirs and gravel pits from April to September.
Apr–Sep
Coot
Fulica atraLC
A common and conspicuous resident on lakes, reservoirs and gravel pits throughout the county. Large winter flocks gather at key waterbodies.
Year-round
Corn Bunting
Emberiza calandraLC
A rare and declining resident of open arable farmland. One of the county's most threatened breeding birds.
Year-round
Cuckoo
Cuculus canorusLC
An uncommon summer visitor arriving in April, its distinctive call heard around woodland edges and reedbeds. Declining as a breeding bird in the county.
Apr–Jul
Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLC
A rare passage visitor to reservoir margins and muddy scrapes, mainly in spring and autumn. Typically seen in small numbers during migration stopovers.
Mar–Nov
Dunnock
Prunella modularisLC
A common but unassuming resident of hedgerows and garden shrubbery. Its shuffling gait and thin song are familiar across the county.
Year-round
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacaLC
An established year-round resident, often seen around gravel pits and reservoirs. This naturalised African species has spread steadily across Hertfordshire in recent decades.
Year-round
Eurasian Bittern
Botaurus stellarisLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to reedbeds and wetland reserves, mainly in winter. Sites like Rye Meads and Tring Reservoirs offer the best chances.
Aug–Mar
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
A familiar garden and suburban resident throughout the county. Its persistent cooing call is a year-round feature of Hertfordshire towns and villages.
Year-round
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
A colourful resident of woodlands and parks, often detected by its harsh screeching call. Frequently seen burying acorns in autumn across the county.
Year-round