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 70–92 of 164 species
Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carboLC
A common year-round resident at reservoirs, gravel pits and rivers. Often seen perched with wings outstretched to dry after diving for fish.
Year-round
Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatusLC
A common resident on larger lakes and reservoirs, performing its elaborate head-shaking courtship display from late winter. Breeds across the county.
Year-round
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos majorLC
A common resident of mature woodland and parks, often heard drumming in spring; increasingly visits garden peanut feeders.
Year-round
Great Tit
Parus majorLC
An abundant resident of gardens, parks and woodlands throughout the county, easily recognised by its bold black head stripe and two-syllable song.
Year-round
Great White Egret
Ardea albaLC
An increasingly established uncommon resident, now seen year-round at wetlands and reservoirs. Part of a wider national range expansion.
Year-round
Greater Scaup
Aythya marilaLC
A rare winter visitor to larger water bodies, sometimes associating with Tufted Duck flocks on reservoirs from October to March.
Oct–Mar
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifronsLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally turning up on flooded fields or reservoirs in December and January.
Dec–Jan
Green Sandpiper
Tringa ochropusLC
A rare but year-round visitor to muddy pools, ditches and reservoir margins. Often bobs conspicuously when flushed.
Mar–Jan
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Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
A common garden and farmland resident, though numbers have declined sharply due to trichomonosis disease in recent years.
Year-round
Greenshank
Tringa nebulariaLC
A rare autumn passage wader, seen at reservoirs and gravel pits from July to September. Elegant and vocal, often feeding along muddy shorelines.
Jul–Sep
Grey Heron
Ardea cinereaLC
A familiar sight year-round, nesting in heronries at established sites and feeding along rivers, lakes, and garden ponds.
Year-round
Grey Partridge
Perdix perdixLC
A rare and declining farmland bird, now very scarce across Leicestershire's arable fields.
Jan–May
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinereaLC
An uncommon resident found along streams, rivers, and canal towpaths. Bobs its long tail constantly while foraging at the water's edge.
Year-round
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
A common year-round resident found on reservoirs, gravel pits and farmland. Feral populations thrive across Leicestershire's waterways.
Year-round
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC
A rare and elusive passage visitor in October and November. Occasionally irrupts into the county, favouring hornbeam and cherry trees.
Oct–Nov
Hobby
Falco subbuteoLC
An elegant summer breeder, arriving in April to hunt dragonflies and hirundines over reservoirs and open countryside. Departs by September.
Apr–Sep
House Martin
Delichon urbicumLC
A common summer visitor, building distinctive mud nests under the eaves of houses and farm buildings. Present from April to October across the county.
Apr–Oct
House Sparrow
Passer domesticusLC
A familiar year-round resident of towns, villages and farms, though numbers have declined significantly in recent decades.
Year-round
Jack Snipe
Lymnocryptes minimusLC
A rare and secretive passage visitor, skulking in marshy margins at wetland sites in autumn and winter.
Oct–Jan
Jackdaw
Coloeus monedulaLC
A common and sociable resident, nesting in church towers, old trees, and buildings. Often seen in noisy flocks with Rooks across farmland.
Year-round
Kestrel
Falco tinnunculusLC
An uncommon but widespread resident, often seen hovering over roadside verges and farmland hunting for small mammals.
Year-round
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscusLC
A common year-round resident, often seen at reservoirs, landfill sites, and playing fields across the county.
Year-round
Lesser Whitethroat
Curruca currucaLC
An uncommon summer breeder favouring tall hedgerows and scrubby thickets, arriving in April and departing by September.
Apr–Sep