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 93–115 of 164 species
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
An uncommon resident of open farmland, rough ground and hedgerows. Often forms flocks outside the breeding season on weedy stubble fields.
Year-round
Little Egret
Egretta garzettaLC
Now a common resident after rapid colonisation, found year-round at reservoirs, gravel pits, and river margins.
Year-round
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollisLC
An uncommon but widespread resident on ponds, canals and slow rivers. Its distinctive whinnying trill is often heard before the bird is seen.
Year-round
Little Gull
Hydrocoloeus minutusLC
A rare spring passage visitor, occasionally seen over reservoirs in April. Its buoyant, tern-like flight distinguishes it from other gulls.
Apr
Little Owl
Athene noctuaLC
A rare and declining visitor, occasionally noted around farmland with old hedgerow trees in spring and early summer.
Apr–Jun
Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubiusLC
An uncommon summer breeder at gravel pits and reservoir margins. Arrives in March and departs by August, favouring bare shingle for nesting.
Mar–Aug
Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalisVU
A rare passage visitor, with occasional records on larger reservoirs during late autumn and late winter.
Nov–Feb
Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatusLC
A charming resident often seen in noisy family flocks moving through hedgerows and woodland, present year-round across the county.
Year-round
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Magpie
Pica picaLC
A common and conspicuous resident in gardens, parks, hedgerows and farmland. Its bold black-and-white plumage and chattering call are unmistakable.
Year-round
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
A common and widespread resident found on virtually any waterbody, from park lakes to farm ponds and rivers.
Year-round
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
An uncommon resident favouring wooded lakes and rivers. Breeding populations are slowly establishing in the county.
Year-round
Marsh Tit
Poecile palustrisLC
A rare visitor, mainly to mature deciduous woodland on the county's fringes. Leicestershire sits at the edge of its core English range.
Aug–Apr
Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensisLC
An uncommon resident of rough grassland and moorland fringes in the county. Numbers may increase in winter with birds from upland areas.
Year-round
Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorusLC
An uncommon resident found in parkland, orchards and open woodland. Often sings boldly from treetops in late winter, well before most other thrushes.
Year-round
Moorhen
Gallinula chloropusLC
A common resident of ponds, canals, and waterways throughout the county. Often seen picking its way along muddy margins, flicking its tail.
Year-round
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
A familiar year-round resident gracing the county's rivers, canals and park lakes. Breeds readily across Leicestershire.
Year-round
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellusNT
An uncommon but year-round resident of farmland and wet grassland. Breeding numbers have declined significantly.
Year-round
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
A rare but elegant winter visitor to reservoirs and gravel pits, present from autumn through to early spring in small numbers.
Sep–Mar
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
An uncommon resident found on shallow, muddy-edged pools and reservoirs. Numbers increase in winter with continental arrivals.
Year-round
Osprey
Pandion haliaetusLC
A rare breeder, with Rutland Water hosting one of England's key reintroduction successes. Present from spring to early autumn at larger water bodies.
Apr–Sep
Pectoral Sandpiper
Calidris melanotosLC
A rare Nearctic vagrant, occasionally appearing at muddy reservoir edges during autumn passage in September.
Sep
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinusLC
An uncommon year-round resident, increasingly nesting on tall buildings in Leicester and other towns. Also hunts over open farmland and reservoirs.
Year-round
Pink-footed Goose
Anser brachyrhynchusLC
A rare winter visitor, with small flocks occasionally seen over the county in January, February, and November, often during cold weather movements.
Nov–Feb