Birds in Northamptonshire
Explore 181 species found in this region.
Northamptonshire, often known as the county of spires and squires, supports a rich diversity of birdlife with 177 recorded species across its mix of rolling farmland, river valleys, reservoirs, and ancient woodlands. The county's wetland sites attract notable species such as Common Merganser, Northern Pintail, and Pink-footed Goose, while its hedgerows and woodlands are home to familiar residents like Great Tit, Magpie, and Eurasian Woodcock. From the wading Northern Lapwing on open fields to the striking Mandarin Duck along wooded waterways, Northamptonshire offers rewarding birdwatching throughout the year.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Bar-tailed Godwit arriving this month, and Barnacle Goose and Curlew depart for the season.
Showing 47–69 of 181 species
Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLC
A rare but year-round visitor to muddy reservoir edges and flooded fields, most often seen during autumn passage at sites like Pitsford.
Jul–May
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
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacaLC
A scarce but increasing resident, found year-round on parkland lakes and gravel pits, with a small breeding population establishing in the county.
Year-round
Eurasian Bittern
Botaurus stellarisLC
A rare breeder at select reedbeds, with booming males a recent addition to the county's avifauna. Also noted in autumn and winter.
Apr–Nov
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 Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
An uncommon but resident woodland bird, most conspicuous in autumn when caching acorns in parks and hedgerows.
Year-round
Eurasian Nuthatch
Sitta europaeaLC
An uncommon resident of mature deciduous woodland and parkland. Loud ringing calls echo through the county's older wooded estates.
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
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Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
An uncommon winter visitor frequenting alder and birch trees along rivers and in parks, present from autumn through to spring.
Sep–Apr
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
An uncommon resident of arable farmland and grassland, declining due to agricultural intensification. Song flights are a feature of open fields in spring.
Year-round
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Passer montanusLC
A rare and declining resident, now confined to scattered farmland sites. Often visits rural feeders alongside its commoner House Sparrow cousin.
Year-round
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 Woodcock
Scolopax rusticolaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to woodland and hedgerows in winter. Secretive and easily overlooked among leaf litter.
Nov–Feb
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
European Turtle-dove
Streptopelia turturVU
Now a rare passage visitor in May and June, reflecting severe national declines; formerly bred in the county's hedgerow-rich farmland.
May–Jun
Fieldfare
Turdus pilarisLC
A common winter visitor from Scandinavia, arriving in October and departing by April. Flocks roam farmland and hedgerows feeding on berries.
Oct–Apr
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
A common resident on the county's reservoirs and gravel pits year-round. Often overlooked among Mallards but steadily increasing.
Year-round
Garden Warbler
Sylvia borinLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in late April, favouring dense scrub and woodland with thick undergrowth.
Apr–Aug
Garganey
Spatula querquedulaLC
A rare breeding duck, arriving in spring and favouring shallow wetlands. One of the county's scarcest nesting wildfowl.
Mar–Sep