Common Birds in Northamptonshire
55 species matching this filter.
Northamptonshire supports a rich variety of common birdlife across its patchwork of rolling farmland, ancient woodlands, reservoirs and river valleys. With 55 commonly recorded species, birdwatchers can enjoy sightings ranging from familiar garden visitors like the Blackbird and European Goldfinch to impressive raptors such as the Buzzard and wetland species like the Gadwall and Coot. Many of these species also feature in our guide to 23 Common Garden Birds in the UK (Full Guide with Pictures), making Northamptonshire an excellent county for both beginner and experienced birders alike.
Showing 1–23 of 55 species
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A common summer visitor breeding around farms and rural buildings. Arrives from March and gathers in large pre-migration roosts by September.
Mar–Oct
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
One of the county's most abundant birds, found in gardens, hedgerows and woodland year-round. Rich song is a hallmark of spring evenings.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
A common resident found in woodland, hedgerows and gardens throughout the year. Winter numbers are boosted by continental migrants visiting bird tables.
Year-round
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
One of the county's most familiar garden birds, common year-round and a regular visitor to feeders.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
A common year-round raptor, often seen soaring over farmland and woodland edges across the county. Has increased significantly since the 1990s.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
An abundant resident found year-round on lakes, gravel pits and rivers throughout the county, breeding readily at most wetland sites.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
A common and adaptable resident seen in virtually every habitat across the county, from town centres to open farmland.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common year-round resident of woodland, hedgerows and gardens. Its bright song is one of the earliest signs of spring across the county.
Year-round
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Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
A common resident heard year-round in woodlands, parks and gardens. Its distinctive two-note song is one of the earliest signs of spring.
Year-round
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
A common resident across farmland and woodland edges, bolstered by regular releases for shooting throughout the year.
Year-round
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
A common resident, though declining nationally. Winter roosts can number thousands, with spectacular murmurations over towns and reedbeds.
Year-round
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
A common summer breeder screaming over towns and villages from late April to August. Numbers have declined in recent decades.
Apr–Sep
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
A common breeding summer visitor nesting at gravel pits and reservoirs such as Pitsford and Daventry, arriving from April.
Apr–Sep
Coot
Fulica atraLC
A common resident on lakes, reservoirs, and gravel pits throughout the county, forming large winter flocks.
Year-round
Dunnock
Prunella modularisLC
A common and widespread resident, shuffling through hedgerows and garden borders year-round. Its thin, warbling song is often heard from dense cover.
Year-round
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
A common resident in towns, villages and farmyards throughout the year. Its monotonous three-note call is a familiar garden sound.
Year-round
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegusNT
A summer breeding visitor to gravel pits and reservoir margins in the Nene valley, arriving from February and departing by August.
Feb–Aug
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
Common on reservoirs and flooded grasslands, with peak numbers in winter; a small number linger through summer at key wetland sites.
Year-round
Eurasian Wren
Troglodytes troglodytesLC
A common and vocal resident found in hedgerows, gardens and woodland undergrowth throughout the year.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A common and colourful resident, readily visiting garden feeders and forming large flocks on weedy fields and hedgerows in autumn and winter.
Year-round
European Green Woodpecker
Picus viridisLC
A common resident often heard giving its loud laughing call across parkland, orchards and woodland edges year-round.
Year-round
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
A common year-round presence at reservoirs, landfill sites and town centres across the county, often gathering in large winter roosts.
Year-round
European Robin
Erithacus rubeculaLC
A common and familiar resident of gardens, parks and woodland throughout the county. Sings year-round, even under streetlights on winter nights.
Year-round