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 162–184 of 203 species
Ross's Goose
Anser rossiiLC
An extremely rare passage visitor, recorded in October. Any sighting requires careful separation from the similar Snow Goose.
Oct
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpresLC
Present all year along rocky shores and promenades. Often seen flipping stones on Merseyside's sea walls and pier structures.
Year-round
Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
Found year-round on coastal marshes and pools, though uncommon. Marshside RSPB and similar wetlands offer the best chances.
Year-round
Sabine's Gull
Xema sabiniLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, best seen from coastal headlands during westerly gales in September and October.
Sep–Oct
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
An uncommon summer breeder, nesting in sandy banks along waterways and quarries, arriving from March and departing by September.
Mar–Sep
Sanderling
Calidris albaLC
Runs along sandy shores at Formby, Crosby and Ainsdale throughout the year, with flocks peaking in winter and on passage.
Year-round
Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensisLC
An uncommon breeder arriving in spring, plunge-diving for fish along the Sefton coast. Often the first tern to return each year.
Apr–Oct
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April, favouring dense waterside vegetation at wetland sites and reedbed margins.
Apr–Sep
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Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeusLC
A rare winter visitor to coastal marshes and rough grassland, hunting low over the ground from October to March.
Oct–Mar
Smew
Mergellus albellusLC
A rare midwinter passage visitor, very occasionally turning up on sheltered lakes and reservoirs across the region.
Dec–Mar
Snow Bunting
Plectrophenax nivalisLC
A scarce winter visitor to Merseyside's beaches and dune systems, most likely along the Sefton coast from November to February.
Nov–Feb
Snow Goose
Anser caerulescensLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally seen among wintering goose flocks on the Mersey estuary and surrounding farmland in winter and spring.
Dec–Apr
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelosLC
A common resident singing from gardens, parks, and hedgerows across Merseyside, though numbers have declined in recent decades.
Year-round
Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLC
A year-round resident hunting small birds in parks, gardens and woodland edges, often dashing low through suburban Merseyside.
Year-round
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striataLC
A rare and declining summer breeder, arriving in May and favouring woodland clearings and mature gardens with open perches.
May–Sep
Spotted Redshank
Tringa erythropusLC
A rare wader found on Merseyside's estuarine mudflats, present in small numbers for much of the year. Often feeds alongside commoner redshank on tidal creeks.
Jun–Apr
Stock Dove
Columba oenasLC
A common but often overlooked resident, nesting in tree holes on farmland and parkland across the region.
Year-round
Stonechat
Saxicola torquatusLC
An uncommon resident of coastal dunes, heathland, and rough grassland, often perching prominently on gorse and fences.
Year-round
Tawny Owl
Strix alucoLC
A rare resident, thinly distributed in mature woodland and parkland; more often heard calling at dusk than seen.
Year-round
Temminck's Stint
Calidris temminckiiLC
A rare spring passage migrant, briefly recorded in May. Favours muddy pool edges and is easily overlooked among other stints.
May
Tree Pipit
Anthus trivialisLC
A rare passage migrant recorded briefly in April and August, pausing on migration through open scrubby habitats.
Apr–Aug
Treecreeper
Certhia familiarisLC
An uncommon resident that spirals up tree trunks in mature woodland and parkland, often heard before seen.
Year-round
Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligulaLC
A common diving duck found year-round on park lakes, reservoirs and meres across Merseyside. Males are striking with their dark crests and bright yellow eyes.
Year-round