Birds in Lancashire
Explore 200 species found in this region.
Lancashire boasts a rich and diverse birdlife, with 195 recorded species found across its varied landscapes of coastal estuaries, moorland uplands, and fertile lowland farmland. The county's extensive coastline along Morecambe Bay and the Ribble Estuary provides vital habitat for wading birds such as Northern Lapwing and Common Sandpiper, while its inland waters attract species including Common Merganser, Northern Pintail, and the striking Mandarin Duck. From the high-altitude Dotterel on the Bowland Fells to the familiar Great Tit and Magpie in gardens and hedgerows, Lancashire offers outstanding birdwatching opportunities throughout the year.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Barn Swallow arriving this month, and Barnacle Goose and Brambling depart for the season.
Showing 24–46 of 200 species
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
An uncommon but increasing year-round resident of dense reedbed and waterside scrub. Its explosive song rings out at sites like Leighton Moss.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common resident found year-round in woodlands, hedgerows, parks and gardens across Lancashire. One of the most familiar finches in the county.
Year-round
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
A common resident heard singing its repetitive two-note song in woodland and scrub. Increasingly overwinters in Lancashire's milder lowland areas.
Year-round
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
A common resident of coniferous and mixed woodland, also visiting garden feeders regularly. Often found alongside Blue and Great Tits.
Year-round
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
Present year-round but most numerous in winter, frequenting playing fields, reservoirs, and the coast alongside other gull species.
Year-round
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
An uncommon but delightful resident along clean rivers and streams. Often glimpsed as a flash of blue over water.
Year-round
Common Loon
Gavia immerLC
Known locally as Great Northern Diver, a rare passage visitor occasionally seen offshore or in Morecambe Bay in December.
Dec
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
An uncommon resident breeding along upland rivers in the Forest of Bowland, moving to lowland lakes and reservoirs in winter.
Year-round
Spotted something?
Upload a photo to identify it
Identify
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
A common resident of farmland, woodland edges, and hedgerows across Lancashire, sustained by regular releases for shooting.
Year-round
Common Quail
Coturnix coturnixLC
A rare and elusive passage visitor, occasionally heard calling from arable fields in June but very seldom seen.
Jun
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
An uncommon resident that has spread across Lancashire in recent decades, now seen over uplands, coasts and increasingly in lowland areas.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
A rare resident, occasionally seen in birch and alder woodland across the county. Numbers may fluctuate with winter influxes from the Continent.
Year-round
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
A rare summer breeder found in mature oak woodland, mainly in the eastern upland valleys. The male's fiery orange breast is unmistakable.
Apr–Aug
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
An uncommon summer breeder found in Phragmites reedbeds from April to September. Key sites include Leighton Moss and the Ribble marshes.
Apr–Sep
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
Breeds along upland streams in the Bowland fells and Pennine fringes, bobbing on riverside rocks from April to October.
Apr–Oct
Common Scoter
Melanitta nigraLC
Rare but recorded year-round, sometimes seen in small rafts offshore in Liverpool Bay and off the Fylde coast.
Year-round
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
A striking resident of Lancashire's estuaries, commonly seen on the Ribble and Morecambe Bay mudflats throughout the year.
Year-round
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
An uncommon resident of Lancashire's bogs, marshes and wet meadows. Numbers increase in winter with arrivals from the continent.
Year-round
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
A common resident forming spectacular winter murmurations, notably over the piers at Blackpool and reedbeds at Leighton Moss.
Year-round
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
A common summer visitor screaming over Lancashire's towns from May to August. Nests under eaves of older buildings but numbers are declining.
Apr–Aug
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
An uncommon breeding visitor from April to September, nesting on rafts and islands at sites like Brockholes and along the Ribble.
Apr–Sep
Coot
Fulica atraLC
A common and conspicuous resident on lakes, reservoirs and park ponds throughout the county. Often gathers in large winter flocks.
Year-round
Corn Bunting
Emberiza calandraLC
A rare and declining resident of Lancashire's arable farmland, now largely restricted to scattered lowland sites. Severely reduced from its former range.
Nov–Jul