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 70–92 of 153 species
Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatusLC
A common resident on larger lakes and reservoirs throughout Hertfordshire. Its elaborate courtship display is a highlight of spring at Tring Reservoirs.
Year-round
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos majorLC
A common resident of mature woodland, parks and large gardens. Its loud drumming in spring is a familiar sound across the county's wooded areas.
Year-round
Great Tit
Parus majorLC
One of the most familiar garden visitors across Hertfordshire, present all year. Bold and vocal, readily uses nest boxes in gardens and woodland edges.
Year-round
Great White Egret
Ardea albaLC
A rare but increasingly recorded non-breeding visitor to wetlands and river valleys, reflecting the species' ongoing expansion across southern England.
Sep–Mar
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifronsLC
A rare passage visitor with occasional May records. Wild birds are difficult to separate from escapes, making each sighting noteworthy.
May
Green Sandpiper
Tringa ochropusLC
An uncommon but near year-round presence at watercress beds, streams and reservoir margins. Often seen bobbing along muddy edges before flying off.
Jun–Apr
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
A common resident of gardens and hedgerows, though numbers have declined due to trichomonosis disease. Still widespread across the county.
Year-round
Greenshank
Tringa nebulariaLC
A rare passage migrant recorded at gravel pits and reservoirs in spring and late summer. A rewarding find for county birders.
Apr–Sep
Spotted something?
Upload a photo to identify it
Identify
Grey Heron
Ardea cinereaLC
A common year-round resident, often seen standing motionless at gravel pits, rivers, and garden ponds across the county.
Year-round
Grey Partridge
Perdix perdixLC
Now rare in the county due to agricultural intensification. Favours arable farmland edges and stubble fields, with numbers in serious long-term decline.
Aug–Jun
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinereaLC
An uncommon resident found along rivers and streams, bobbing its long tail on waterside rocks. Breeds near weirs and bridges in the county.
Year-round
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
A common year-round resident found on lakes, reservoirs and gravel pits across the county. Feral populations thrive alongside park lakes and farmland.
Year-round
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally seen in mature woodland and parkland with hornbeam, notably at Tring and Bramfield.
Nov–Feb
Hobby
Falco subbuteoLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April, hunting dragonflies and hirundines over heathland and wetlands. Departs by October for African wintering grounds.
Apr–Oct
Hoopoe
Upupa epopsLC
An exotic-looking rarity, very occasionally overshooting from the Continent in late spring. Any Hertfordshire record generates considerable local excitement.
Jun
House Martin
Delichon urbicumLC
An uncommon summer visitor breeding under eaves in towns and villages, arriving in April and departing by October.
Apr–Oct
House Sparrow
Passer domesticusLC
A familiar year-round resident of towns and villages, nesting colonially under eaves and in hedges. Numbers have declined but it remains common across the county.
Year-round
Jack Snipe
Lymnocryptes minimusLC
A secretive and rare winter visitor to marshy areas and waterlogged meadows. Easily overlooked due to its skulking habits.
Oct–Mar
Jackdaw
Coloeus monedulaLC
A common and sociable resident, nesting in church towers, old trees, and chimneys in towns and villages alike.
Year-round
Kestrel
Falco tinnunculusLC
A common resident often seen hovering over roadside verges and open farmland. One of the county's most visible raptors throughout the year.
Year-round
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscusLC
A common year-round resident, seen over towns, at reservoirs and on farmland. Numbers increase notably during autumn passage.
Year-round
Lesser Whitethroat
Curruca currucaLC
An uncommon summer breeder favouring dense hedgerows and scrubby thickets. Its rattling song is heard from April but the bird often stays hidden.
Apr–Sep
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
An uncommon resident favouring farmland, rough grassland and scrubby margins. Often forms small flocks outside the breeding season.
Year-round