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 70–92 of 235 species
Eurasian Woodcock
Scolopax rusticolaLC
A secretive resident of damp woodland, boosted in winter by Continental arrivals; best seen at dusk on roding flights in spring.
Oct–Jun
Eurasian Wren
Troglodytes troglodytesLC
One of Norfolk's most widespread residents, found in gardens, hedgerows, and reedbeds. Remarkably loud for its tiny size, singing year-round.
Year-round
European Bee-eater
Merops apiasterLC
A rare and exciting summer vagrant, occasionally overshooting from the Continent. Sightings in Norfolk draw large crowds of birders.
Jun–Aug
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A common and colourful resident seen year-round in gardens, hedgerows and weedy fields, often in lively flocks outside the breeding season.
Year-round
European Green Woodpecker
Picus viridisLC
An uncommon resident found in parkland, woodland edges and churchyards, often heard giving its loud laughing call.
Year-round
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
A familiar year-round resident along the coast and in towns. Readily scavenges at harbours, landfill sites and seaside resorts.
Year-round
European Honey-buzzard
Pernis apivorusLC
A rare passage migrant through Norfolk in midsummer, sometimes seen soaring over wooded areas en route to African wintering grounds.
Jul
European Pied Flycatcher
Ficedula hypoleucaLC
An uncommon autumn passage migrant in August and September, mainly along the coast. Does not breed in Norfolk but passes through on southward migration.
Aug–Sep
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European Robin
Erithacus rubeculaLC
A familiar year-round resident of Norfolk gardens, hedgerows, and woodlands, often singing from prominent perches even through winter.
Year-round
European Shag
Phalacrocorax aristotelisLC
A rare passage visitor to rocky coastal areas in autumn and early winter, far less common than Cormorant here.
Sep–Dec
European Turtle-dove
Streptopelia turturVU
A declining summer visitor arriving in late April, favouring hedgerows and woodland edges. Norfolk remains one of its last English strongholds.
Apr–Sep
Fieldfare
Turdus pilarisLC
An uncommon winter visitor from Scandinavia, arriving from October. Roaming flocks feed on berries in hedgerows and open fields across Norfolk.
Oct–Apr
Firecrest
Regulus ignicapillaLC
A rare resident and passage migrant, found in sheltered coastal scrub and conifer stands, mainly in winter months.
Oct–May
Fulmar
Fulmarus glacialisLC
Breeds in small numbers on the north Norfolk chalk cliffs, notably at Hunstanton, present year-round.
Year-round
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
A common resident of Norfolk's broads, marshes, and gravel pits. Breeds widely and numbers increase in winter with continental arrivals.
Year-round
Garden Warbler
Sylvia borinLC
An uncommon and unobtrusive summer breeder in dense woodland understorey. Present from April to September; easily overlooked due to its plain plumage.
Apr–Sep
Garganey
Spatula querquedulaLC
A rare summer breeder on freshwater marshes from March to September. Norfolk's wetlands are among its few regular UK breeding sites.
Mar–Sep
Glaucous Gull
Larus hyperboreusLC
A rare winter visitor from the Arctic, occasionally found among gull flocks at harbours and tips in January and February.
Jan–Feb
Glossy Ibis
Plegadis falcinellusLC
A rare autumn passage visitor to Norfolk's coastal marshes and freshwater pools, most likely seen between September and November.
Jul–Nov
Goldcrest
Regulus regulusLC
A resident of coniferous and mixed woodland, with numbers swelling in autumn as Continental birds arrive along the Norfolk coast.
Year-round
Golden Plover
Pluvialis apricariaLC
Present most of the year on Norfolk's farmland and coastal marshes, forming large winter flocks often mixed with Lapwings.
Jul–May
Goldeneye
Bucephala clangulaLC
An uncommon winter visitor to Norfolk's broads and gravel pits from October to April. Often seen diving on open freshwater lakes.
Oct–Apr
Grasshopper Warbler
Locustella naeviaLC
A rare and secretive breeding visitor from April to July. Best detected by its insect-like reeling song from dense scrub and marshy grassland.
Apr–Jul