Birds in Leicestershire
Explore 164 species found in this region.
Leicestershire is home to a rich diversity of birdlife, with 162 species recorded across the county's varied habitats, from the reservoirs and wetlands of Rutland Water's fringes to rolling farmland and ancient woodlands. The region supports notable species such as Northern Lapwing and Eurasian Woodcock in its countryside, while waterways attract visitors including Common Merganser, Mandarin Duck and Pink-footed Goose. Whether you're exploring urban parks where Great Tits and Magpies thrive or venturing to gravel pits and meadows, Leicestershire offers rewarding birding throughout the year.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Black-crowned Night-heron arriving this month, and Greater Scaup and Northern Pintail depart for the season.
Showing 47–69 of 164 species
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegusNT
An uncommon breeding visitor, arriving from February and nesting at gravel pits and reservoir margins. Its piping call is distinctive.
Feb–Aug
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
An uncommon resident most visible in winter and early spring, visiting garden feeders and frequenting alder trees along waterways.
Jul–May
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of arable farmland and open grassland. Its soaring song flight is a characteristic sound of the Leicestershire countryside.
Year-round
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Passer montanusLC
A rare and declining resident, now largely confined to farmland in the east of the county. Favours hedgerows and farm buildings with nest boxes.
Oct–Jun
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
An uncommon non-breeding visitor to reservoirs and flooded grassland, arriving from autumn and lingering into spring. Males give a distinctive whistle.
Aug–Apr
Eurasian Woodcock
Scolopax rusticolaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to woodland and hedgerows, most likely encountered during winter months. Its cryptic plumage makes detection difficult.
Nov–Feb
Eurasian Wren
Troglodytes troglodytesLC
A common and vocal resident found in virtually every hedgerow, garden and woodland, its powerful song belying its tiny size.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A common and colourful resident, frequently visiting garden feeders. Flocks gather on teasel and thistle heads in autumn across the county.
Year-round
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European Green Woodpecker
Picus viridisLC
A common resident of parkland, orchards, and woodland edges. Its loud, laughing 'yaffle' call carries far across the Leicestershire countryside.
Year-round
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
An uncommon but year-round resident, increasingly seen on urban rooftops as well as at reservoirs and landfill sites across the county.
Year-round
European Robin
Erithacus rubeculaLC
A much-loved common resident of gardens, woodland, and hedgerows year-round. One of the first birds to sing at dawn across the county.
Year-round
European Turtle-dove
Streptopelia turturVU
A rare and rapidly declining passage visitor, now only occasionally recorded on farmland in late spring.
May–Jun
Fieldfare
Turdus pilarisLC
A winter visitor from Scandinavia, arriving from October and lingering into April. Flocks forage in hedgerows and open fields for berries.
Oct–Apr
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
An uncommon year-round resident, favouring larger reservoirs and gravel pits with vegetated margins for breeding.
Year-round
Garden Warbler
Sylvia borinLC
An unassuming summer breeder in mature deciduous woodland with dense understorey. Arrives from April and departs by September.
Apr–Sep
Garganey
Spatula querquedulaLC
A rare passage migrant, occasionally seen on shallow pools and reservoir margins in spring and early autumn.
Mar–Sep
Glaucous Gull
Larus hyperboreusLC
A rare midwinter visitor from the Arctic, occasionally turning up among gull flocks at reservoirs and tips. A prized find for county birders.
Jan
Glossy Ibis
Plegadis falcinellusLC
A rare autumn vagrant, occasionally turning up at wetland sites in October. Dark, iridescent plumage and downcurved bill make it unmistakable.
Oct
Goldcrest
Regulus regulusLC
A common resident of coniferous and mixed woodland, parks, and mature gardens. Numbers swell in autumn with continental migrants.
Year-round
Golden Plover
Pluvialis apricariaLC
A rare passage visitor, sometimes seen in flocks on ploughed fields and wet grassland in autumn and winter.
Oct–Jan
Goldeneye
Bucephala clangulaLC
An uncommon resident found on reservoirs and gravel pits, most conspicuous in winter. Males flash striking white plumage in courtship displays.
Aug–Jun
Grasshopper Warbler
Locustella naeviaLC
A rare and declining breeding visitor, best detected by its insect-like reeling song from dense scrub and rough grassland in spring.
Apr–Jul
Great Black-backed Gull
Larus marinusLC
Present year-round but rarely encountered, occasionally seen at reservoirs and landfill sites. The largest British gull, dwarfing commoner species.
Year-round