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 24–46 of 235 species
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common year-round resident found on lakes, rivers, and grazing marshes across the county. Breeds readily on Norfolk's waterways.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
An abundant and adaptable resident found across Norfolk's farmland, towns, and coastline throughout the year.
Year-round
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibisLC
A rare but increasingly recorded resident, often seen alongside livestock on grazing marshes as this species expands its range northward.
Year-round
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
An uncommon but increasing resident of Norfolk's reedbeds and dense waterside scrub. More often heard than seen, with its explosive burst of song.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common and familiar resident of woodlands, hedgerows and gardens throughout Norfolk, with continental birds augmenting numbers in winter.
Year-round
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
A common resident heard year-round, with numbers boosted by Continental migrants in autumn. Frequents woodlands, gardens, and scrubby hedgerows.
Year-round
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
An uncommon resident favouring coniferous plantations in the Brecks and Thetford Forest, visiting garden feeders in winter.
Year-round
Common Crane
Grus grusLC
A rare but increasing resident of the Norfolk Broads, where a reintroduced population breeds in secluded marshes and wet grasslands.
Year-round
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Common Gull
Larus canusLC
Common throughout the year on farmland, playing fields and coastal marshes. Winter flocks often mix with other gull species.
Year-round
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
An uncommon but dazzling resident along rivers, Broads, and drainage ditches throughout the county.
Year-round
Common Loon
Gavia immerLC
Scarce non-breeding visitor to offshore waters and sheltered bays from October to February.
Oct–Feb
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
A rare winter visitor to Norfolk's rivers and broads, most likely between November and March. Favours larger freshwater bodies.
Nov–Mar
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
A common and conspicuous resident of Norfolk's farmland, hedgerows, and woodland edges. Widely released for shooting across the county.
Year-round
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
An uncommon non-breeding visitor, increasingly seen over Norfolk as the species recolonises eastern England. Most records are from autumn and winter.
Aug–Apr
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
An uncommon resident most often seen in birch and alder woodland, with numbers increasing during autumn and winter as northern birds arrive.
Sep–May
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
A scarce breeding bird in mature parkland and woodland, most often seen on passage in spring and autumn across Norfolk's wooded estates.
Apr–Oct
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
A common summer breeder arriving in April, filling Norfolk's extensive reedbeds with its chattering song. Departs by September.
Apr–Sep
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
An uncommon summer visitor, bobbing along lake edges and river margins from April to October. Passage birds frequent coastal pools.
Apr–Oct
Common Scoter
Melanitta nigraLC
Present year-round off the Norfolk coast, with large rafts gathering offshore. Most conspicuous during autumn and winter passage.
Year-round
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
Common year-round on estuaries and coastal mudflats. Breeds on dunes and marshes, with large moulting flocks in summer.
Year-round
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
An uncommon year-round resident of Norfolk's wet meadows and reedbeds, often flushed from marshy edges with a zigzagging flight.
Year-round
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
A common resident boosted by huge continental flocks in winter, forming spectacular murmurations over reedbeds.
Year-round
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
A common breeding visitor screaming over Norfolk's towns and villages from late April to September. Nests in older buildings and church towers.
Apr–Sep