Common Birds in Norfolk

59 species matching this filter.

All birds in Norfolk

Norfolk is one of England's premier birdwatching destinations, with its sweeping coastline, vast salt marshes, and expansive wetlands supporting an impressive diversity of common species. From the haunting call of the Curlew across the mudflats to Eurasian Skylarks singing above open farmland, the county offers rewarding encounters with 60 commonly seen bird species. Many of these birds can also be spotted across the wider UK — for more on widespread species, see our guide to 23 Common Garden Birds in the UK (Full Guide with Pictures) and The most common bird in the UK.

Eurasian Wren
Eurasian WrenSmallest · 9cm
to
Mute Swan
Mute SwanLargest · 160cm
Ranges from the Eurasian Wren (9cm) to the Mute Swan (160cm)31 families represented53 year-round residents

Showing 47–59 of 59 species

Moorhen

Moorhen

Gallinula chloropusLC

Abundant on ponds, ditches, and the Broads year-round, often seen picking its way along muddy margins.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Mute Swan

Mute Swan

Cygnus olorLC

A familiar sight on the Broads, rivers, and coastal marshes year-round. Breeds widely across Norfolk's waterways.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Northern Lapwing

Northern Lapwing

Vanellus vanellusNT

Common year-round on farmland and marshes, with large winter flocks gathering on the coastal grazing marshes.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Northern Shoveler

Northern Shoveler

Spatula clypeataLC

Common year-round on shallow marshes and flooded fields. Numbers peak in winter when continental birds boost the resident population.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Redshank

Redshank

Tringa totanusLC

Common year-round on saltmarshes and wet grasslands, its distinctive call a constant feature of Norfolk's coastal reserves.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Reed Bunting

Reed Bunting

Emberiza schoeniclusLC

A common resident of reedbeds, ditches and marshy areas throughout Norfolk, often forming large winter roosts in phragmites beds.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Rook

Rook

Corvus frugilegusLC

Abundant across Norfolk's arable farmland, nesting in noisy rookeries in tall trees. Large flocks gather on ploughed fields throughout the year.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Sedge Warbler

Sedge Warbler

Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC

A common summer breeder in reedbeds and ditches across the Broads and coastal marshes from April to September.

Apr–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

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Song Thrush

Song Thrush

Turdus philomelosLC

A common resident heard singing from gardens, parks, and woodland. Numbers increase in autumn and winter with migrants arriving from the continent.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Stock Dove

Stock Dove

Columba oenasLC

A common resident of farmland, parkland, and woodland edges. Nests in tree holes and old buildings throughout the county.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Western Marsh-harrier

Western Marsh-harrier

Circus aeruginosusLC

A common resident raptor, quartering reedbeds and marshes year-round. Norfolk is a UK stronghold for this species.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Whitethroat

Whitethroat

Curruca communisLC

A common summer visitor to Norfolk's hedgerows and scrubby field margins. Its scratchy, energetic song is a hallmark of the county's farmland from April to September.

Apr–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Woodpigeon

Woodpigeon

Columba palumbusLC

An abundant and familiar resident found in woodlands, parks and gardens across Norfolk, with huge autumn influxes from the continent.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
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