Birds in Norfolk
Explore 235 species found in this region.
Norfolk is one of the premier birdwatching destinations in the United Kingdom, with 229 recorded species thriving across its diverse mosaic of coastal marshes, reed beds, estuaries, and arable farmland. The county's extensive coastline and renowned reserves such as Cley Marshes, Titchwell, and the North Norfolk coast attract vast numbers of wildfowl and waders, including Eurasian Wigeon, Common Shelduck, and Garganey. Norfolk is also a vital stronghold for increasingly rare species such as the European Turtle-dove and supports impressive winter gatherings of Barnacle Geese and Goldeneye.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Common Redstart arriving this month, and Common Merganser and Dartford Warbler depart for the season.
Showing 208–230 of 235 species
Taiga Bean Goose
Anser fabalisLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally seen on grazing marshes and beet fields in the Yare Valley during January and December.
Dec–Jan
Tawny Owl
Strix alucoLC
A secretive resident of mature woodland, more often heard than seen. Seldom encountered away from wooded areas.
Year-round
Temminck's Stint
Calidris temminckiiLC
A rare passage migrant, briefly visiting freshwater scrapes in May and August, most reliably seen at Cley or Titchwell.
May–Aug
Tree Pipit
Anthus trivialisLC
A rare breeding visitor to Norfolk's heathland and woodland edges, arriving in April. Delivers its distinctive song flight over sites like Salthouse Heath.
Apr–Sep
Treecreeper
Certhia familiarisLC
An uncommon resident spiralling up tree trunks in mature woodland and parkland throughout the county.
Year-round
Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligulaLC
Uncommon but present year-round on lakes, gravel pits, and broads. Often seen diving alongside Pochard on open water.
Year-round
Tundra Bean Goose
Anser serrirostrisLC
A rare winter visitor, with a regular flock at the Yare Valley from December to February. Norfolk is a key UK wintering site.
Dec–Feb
Tundra Swan
Cygnus columbianusLC
A rare winter visitor to the Ouse Washes and Norfolk's flooded grazing marshes. Small herds arrive from Arctic Russia in November.
Nov–Mar
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Twite
Linaria flavirostrisLC
A rare winter visitor to the Norfolk coast, occasionally found in small flocks on saltmarshes and shingle beaches from October to March.
Oct–Mar
Velvet Scoter
Melanitta fuscaVU
A rare winter visitor, found offshore along the north Norfolk coast from October to March, often among Common Scoter flocks.
Oct–Mar
Water Pipit
Anthus spinolettaLC
A rare winter visitor found at freshwater marshes and watercress beds, most reliably seen at coastal grazing marshes from October to March.
Oct–Mar
Water Rail
Rallus aquaticusLC
A secretive resident of Norfolk's reedbeds and marshes, more often heard squealing than seen. Present year-round at sites like Cley and Strumpshaw.
Year-round
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
Wheatear
Oenanthe oenantheLC
An uncommon summer breeder found on short-cropped grassland and dunes, with passage birds often seen along the coast in spring and autumn.
Mar–Oct
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopusLC
An uncommon breeder present from April to October, often heard giving its distinctive rippling call over Norfolk's coastal marshes.
Apr–Oct
Whinchat
Saxicola rubetraLC
A rare passage migrant seen briefly in spring and autumn on coastal scrub and marshes. No longer breeds in Norfolk.
Apr–Sep
White-rumped Sandpiper
Calidris fuscicollisVU
A rare Nearctic vagrant occasionally turning up on Norfolk's coastal scrapes in July and August among flocks of Dunlin.
Jul–Aug
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
Whooper Swan
Cygnus cygnusLC
A rare resident, with small numbers wintering on the Broads and coastal marshes. Most likely seen at sites like Welney.
Year-round
Willow Warbler
Phylloscopus trochilusLC
An uncommon breeding visitor to scrubby woodland and heathland edges. Arrives in April and departs by October; declining as a Norfolk breeder.
Apr–Oct
Wood Sandpiper
Tringa glareolaLC
A rare summer breeder in Norfolk, favouring secluded boggy pools and wet woodland clearings in the Broads area.
May–Sep
Woodlark
Lullula arboreaLC
A rare breeder on Breckland heaths, delivering its beautiful song flight from February; some birds linger into October.
Feb–Oct
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