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 139–161 of 164 species
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelosLC
A common resident of gardens, hedgerows, and woodland. Often seen smashing snails on a favourite stone anvil.
Year-round
Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLC
An uncommon but widespread resident, hunting small birds in woodlands, hedgerows, and gardens. Often detected by panicked flocks of finches.
Year-round
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striataLC
A rare and declining summer breeder, arriving in May. Favours woodland edges and churchyards, sallying from exposed perches to catch insects.
May–Sep
Spotted Redshank
Tringa erythropusLC
A rare autumn passage wader, very occasionally recorded at reservoir mudflats during September.
Sep
Stock Dove
Columba oenasLC
A common resident of farmland, parkland, and woodland edges. Nests in tree holes and old buildings, often seen in small flocks over fields.
Year-round
Stonechat
Saxicola torquatusLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to heathland edges, rough grassland, and reservoir margins. Most likely seen from autumn through early spring.
Sep–Apr
Tawny Owl
Strix alucoLC
A secretive resident of mature woodland and parkland, rarely seen but its hooting call carries through Leicestershire's woods after dark.
Year-round
Tree Pipit
Anthus trivialisLC
A rare breeding visitor to open woodland and heathland edges, delivering its distinctive parachuting song flight in spring.
Apr–Aug
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Treecreeper
Certhia familiarisLC
An unobtrusive resident of mature woodland, spiralling up tree trunks in search of insects. Listen for its thin, high-pitched call.
Year-round
Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligulaLC
A common diving duck present year-round on reservoirs and gravel pits, often nesting near waterside vegetation.
Year-round
Velvet Scoter
Melanitta fuscaVU
A rare passage visitor, very occasionally recorded on larger reservoirs in midwinter. An unusual inland record for this primarily coastal sea duck.
Dec–Jan
Water Rail
Rallus aquaticusLC
A secretive non-breeding visitor to reedbeds and marshy margins. More often heard squealing than seen.
Aug–Apr
Wheatear
Oenanthe oenantheLC
A rare passage migrant seen on open fields and ploughed land in spring and autumn, pausing briefly on migration.
Mar–Sep
Whinchat
Saxicola rubetraLC
A rare passage migrant seen briefly in May and again in August–September. Favours rough grassland and scrubby margins on migration.
May–Sep
Whitethroat
Curruca communisLC
An uncommon summer breeder favouring hedgerows and scrubby field margins. Arrives in April and departs by September.
Apr–Sep
Whooper Swan
Cygnus cygnusLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally seen on larger reservoirs in autumn and winter. Listen for its bugling call.
Oct–Jan
Willow Tit
Poecile montanusLC
A rare visitor in serious national decline, occasionally recorded at damp woodland sites but no longer breeding in the county.
Aug–Apr
Willow Warbler
Phylloscopus trochilusLC
An uncommon summer breeder favouring scrubby woodland edges and hedgerows, present from March to September but declining locally.
Mar–Sep
Wood Sandpiper
Tringa glareolaLC
A rare passage wader, occasionally stopping at muddy reservoir margins in spring and late summer.
May–Aug
Wood Warbler
Phylloscopus sibilatrixLC
A rare passage migrant glimpsed briefly in May, no longer breeding in the county as part of a wider national decline.
May
Woodpigeon
Columba palumbusLC
An abundant resident found everywhere from city centres to farmland. Large flocks gather on arable fields in autumn and winter.
Year-round
Wryneck
Jynx torquillaLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally recorded in September. A former UK breeder now mainly seen as a scarce visitor from the continent.
Sep
Yellow Wagtail
Motacilla flavaLC
A rare and declining summer breeder associated with lowland pastures and river floodplains, arriving from April.
Apr–Sep