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 70–92 of 181 species
Glossy Ibis
Plegadis falcinellusLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to wetlands and reservoir margins, recorded in autumn through to spring as sightings increase nationally.
Sep–Apr
Goldcrest
Regulus regulusLC
A common resident of coniferous and mixed woodland throughout the county. Britain's smallest bird, often detected by its high-pitched call.
Year-round
Golden Plover
Pluvialis apricariaLC
An uncommon non-breeding visitor forming flocks on ploughed fields and pastures from autumn through spring.
Sep–Apr
Goldeneye
Bucephala clangulaLC
An uncommon winter visitor to reservoirs and gravel pits, present from October to April with peak numbers in midwinter.
Oct–Apr
Grasshopper Warbler
Locustella naeviaLC
A rare and declining summer breeder, its insect-like reeling song heard from dense scrub and grassland in spring.
Apr–Jun
Great Black-backed Gull
Larus marinusLC
An uncommon resident found year-round at large reservoirs and landfill sites, often joining winter gull roosts in good numbers.
Jul–May
Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carboLC
A common resident found year-round at reservoirs, gravel pits and rivers. Numbers have increased markedly in recent decades.
Year-round
Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatusLC
Common on larger lakes and reservoirs year-round, performing its elaborate courtship display from late winter.
Year-round
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Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos majorLC
Common in woodlands, parks and mature gardens throughout the county. Its drumming is a familiar sound from late winter onwards.
Year-round
Great Tit
Parus majorLC
A common and familiar resident of gardens, parks and woodland throughout the county, readily visiting feeders.
Year-round
Great White Egret
Ardea albaLC
An uncommon but increasingly regular resident at reservoirs and gravel pits. Part of a national range expansion from continental Europe.
Year-round
Greater Scaup
Aythya marilaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to larger reservoirs, occasionally joining Tufted Duck flocks from December through to spring.
Dec–Apr
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifronsLC
A rare winter visitor to the county's reservoirs and flood meadows, occasionally joining flocks of other grazing geese from December to March.
Dec–Mar
Green Sandpiper
Tringa ochropusLC
An uncommon but regular visitor to muddy reservoir edges and watercress beds, present most months except late spring.
Jul–Apr
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
A common resident of gardens, hedgerows and farmland. Numbers have declined due to disease, but it remains widespread across the county.
Year-round
Greenshank
Tringa nebulariaLC
An uncommon visitor mainly on passage, favouring reservoir margins and gravel pits from late spring through autumn.
Apr–Oct
Grey Heron
Ardea cinereaLC
A familiar year-round resident, often seen standing motionless along rivers, lakes and gravel pits across the county.
Year-round
Grey Partridge
Perdix perdixLC
A rare and declining resident of arable farmland, struggling due to modern farming practices. Most likely on stubble fields.
Dec–Sep
Grey Plover
Pluvialis squatarolaLC
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally stopping at reservoir margins and flooded fields in April and May.
Apr–May
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinereaLC
An uncommon year-round resident along the county's rivers and streams. Bobs its long tail constantly while foraging on weirs and waterways.
Year-round
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
A common resident found year-round on reservoirs, gravel pits and farmland. Feral populations thrive at sites like Pitsford and Hollowell.
Year-round
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC
A rare and elusive passage visitor, occasionally seen in mature woodland with hornbeam and cherry during late autumn and winter months.
Nov–Jan
Hen Harrier
Circus cyaneusLC
A rare late-autumn and winter passage visitor, occasionally seen quartering open farmland and marshes in the county.
Nov–Dec