Birds in Merseyside
Explore 203 species found in this region.
Merseyside supports a rich diversity of birdlife, with 195 species recorded across the county's varied habitats. From the internationally important estuarine mudflats of the Dee and Mersey, which attract large flocks of Northern Pintail, Pink-footed Geese and Northern Lapwing, to urban parks where Great Tits and Magpies thrive, the region offers excellent birding year-round. Notable species include wintering wildfowl such as Common Shelduck and Common Merganser, as well as passage waders like Common Sandpiper and the elusive Eurasian Woodcock in woodland areas.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Black Redstart arriving this month, and Common Kingfisher and Common Scoter depart for the season.
Showing 116–138 of 203 species
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollisLC
A common resident found on park lakes, ponds and quiet waterways throughout Merseyside, often betrayed by its distinctive trilling call.
Year-round
Little Gull
Hydrocoloeus minutusLC
An uncommon breeder present from February to October. Dainty and buoyant in flight, often seen at Seaforth Nature Reserve.
Feb–Oct
Little Owl
Athene noctuaLC
A rare breeding species found on farmland with old trees and outbuildings. Introduced to Britain, it remains scarce on Merseyside.
Apr–Aug
Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubiusLC
An uncommon summer breeder, favouring gravel pits and reservoir margins. Present from March to September, often near inland freshwater sites.
Mar–Sep
Little Stint
Calidris minutaLC
A rare passage migrant seen at coastal pools in spring and autumn. Tiny and easily missed among Dunlin flocks on the estuaries.
May–Oct
Little Tern
Sternula albifronsLC
A rare passage visitor seen along the coast in late spring and late summer. Favours sandy shores and estuarine mudflats.
May–Sep
Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalisVU
A rare passage visitor, occasionally seen offshore or in the docks during autumn and early winter.
Oct–Mar
Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatusLC
A common and charming resident, roving through hedgerows and gardens in acrobatic family flocks, especially conspicuous in winter.
Year-round
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Magpie
Pica picaLC
A bold and abundant resident found in gardens, parks, and hedgerows throughout Merseyside, easily recognised by its chattering call.
Year-round
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
A common and familiar resident on virtually any waterbody across Merseyside, from park lakes to estuarine creeks.
Year-round
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
An uncommon resident of wooded lakes and park ponds, with small feral populations established at sites across the region.
Sep–Jul
Manx Shearwater
Puffinus puffinusLC
Breeds on nearby islands but rarely seen from Merseyside shores except during autumn storms pushing birds into Liverpool Bay.
Aug–Oct
Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensisLC
A common resident of rough grassland, moorland edges and coastal dunes. Numbers swell in autumn as upland birds move to lowland areas.
Year-round
Merlin
Falco columbariusLC
A rare non-breeding visitor, dashing low over coastal marshes and dunes, mainly seen along the Sefton coast in autumn and winter.
Aug–Apr
Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorusLC
An uncommon resident of parks, playing fields, and woodland edges; often seen singing from tall treetops in early spring.
Year-round
Moorhen
Gallinula chloropusLC
A common year-round resident found on ponds, canals and park lakes throughout Merseyside. Often seen walking across lawns near water with its jerky gait.
Year-round
Muscovy Duck
Cairina moschataLC
A rare record, almost certainly of domestic or feral origin. Occasionally noted on park lakes in March.
Mar
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
A common and familiar resident on canals, park lakes and the coast. Breeds readily across Merseyside's waterways.
Year-round
Northern Gannet
Morus bassanusLC
Breeds nearby and is seen offshore from April to October. Plunge-diving birds are a regular sight from Merseyside's coastline.
Apr–Oct
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellusNT
A common year-round resident of farmland and wetland margins across Merseyside. Winter flocks gather on coastal fields, though breeding numbers continue to decline.
Year-round
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
An uncommon but elegant dabbling duck, favouring the Mersey estuary mudflats and marshes mainly from autumn to spring.
Sep–May
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
A common resident on freshwater marshes and pools year-round. Often seen in groups sweeping their broad bills across shallow water.
Year-round
Osprey
Pandion haliaetusLC
A rare but exciting spring passage migrant, occasionally spotted over reservoirs and estuaries in April and May.
Apr–May