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 185–203 of 203 species
Twite
Linaria flavirostrisLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally found on saltmarshes and coastal stubble fields around the Mersey estuary from November to February.
Nov–Feb
Water Pipit
Anthus spinolettaLC
A rare winter visitor to wet grassland and marshes, occasionally recorded at coastal sites between November and March.
Nov–Mar
Water Rail
Rallus aquaticusLC
An uncommon but secretive resident of Merseyside's reedbeds and marshy wetlands. More often heard giving its pig-like squeal than seen in the open.
Jul–Apr
Western Marsh-harrier
Circus aeruginosusLC
An uncommon resident, increasingly established at reedbeds and marshes such as those at RSPB Marshside and the Mersey estuary.
Year-round
Wheatear
Oenanthe oenantheLC
An uncommon passage migrant pausing on coastal dunes and fields, mainly seen along the Sefton coast in spring and autumn.
Mar–Oct
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopusLC
An uncommon passage wader seen on Merseyside's estuaries and coasts, mainly in spring and autumn. Its distinctive seven-note whistling call aids identification.
Feb–Nov
Whinchat
Saxicola rubetraLC
A rare passage migrant seen on coastal scrub and rough grassland in spring and autumn, pausing briefly on migration.
Apr–Sep
White-winged Tern
Chlidonias leucopterusLC
A rare passage vagrant in September. Any sighting over coastal pools or marshes is a notable event for Merseyside birders.
Sep
Spotted something?
Upload a photo to identify it
Identify
Whitethroat
Curruca communisLC
A common summer breeder of hedgerows and scrubby margins, arriving in April. Its scratchy song is a hallmark of rural Merseyside.
Apr–Oct
Whooper Swan
Cygnus cygnusLC
A rare winter visitor from Iceland, sometimes seen on coastal marshes and fields from October to March.
Oct–Mar
Willow Tit
Poecile montanusLC
A rare passage visitor in autumn, reflecting the species' severe national decline. Occasional records in October and November.
Oct–Nov
Willow Warbler
Phylloscopus trochilusLC
An uncommon summer breeder in scrubby woodland and heathland edges, its descending song heard from April through July.
Mar–Oct
Wilson's Phalarope
Phalaropus tricolorLC
A rare Nearctic vagrant, occasionally recorded on passage in September. Any sighting at coastal pools attracts keen interest.
Sep
Wood Sandpiper
Tringa glareolaLC
A rare passage migrant, occasionally stopping at Merseyside's freshwater pools in May and August. A scarce but regular visitor to sites like Marshside and Seaforth.
May–Aug
Woodpigeon
Columba palumbusLC
An abundant resident found in gardens, parks and farmland across Merseyside throughout the year.
Year-round
Yellow Wagtail
Motacilla flavaLC
An uncommon summer breeder found on damp pastures and arable fields. This declining species is increasingly scarce across the region.
Apr–Sep
Yellow-browed Warbler
Phylloscopus inornatusLC
A rare but eagerly sought autumn passage migrant from Siberia, occasionally found in coastal scrub and gardens in October.
Oct
Yellow-legged Gull
Larus michahellisLC
A rare but year-round presence, occasionally picked out among large gull flocks at Seaforth Nature Reserve or along the Mersey estuary.
Year-round
Yellowhammer
Emberiza citrinellaLC
A rare resident of farmland hedgerows, now very localised in Merseyside. Its bright yellow plumage and distinctive song aid identification.
Year-round