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 116–138 of 181 species

Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensisLC
An uncommon resident found on rough grassland, reservoir edges, and farmland throughout the year, with numbers boosted by winter visitors.
Year-round

Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorusLC
An uncommon resident of parkland, orchards and open woodland. One of the earliest songsters, singing from treetops even in midwinter.
Year-round

Moorhen
Gallinula chloropusLC
A common resident of ponds, streams and canal margins year-round. Readily breeds on even the smallest village waterways.
Year-round

Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
A common resident on rivers, lakes, and canals throughout the county, breeding readily on the Nene and at reservoirs.
Year-round

Nightingale
Luscinia megarhynchosLC
A rare and declining breeding visitor, arriving in April to sing from dense scrub and woodland edges. Yardley Chase has historically been a key site.
Apr–Jun

Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellusNT
A common resident of arable farmland and wet grassland. Winter flocks gather on ploughed fields, though breeding numbers are declining.
Year-round

Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
An uncommon non-breeding visitor to reservoirs and flooded fields from autumn through spring, with numbers peaking in winter.
Sep–Apr

Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
Present year-round at the county's reservoirs and gravel pits, with numbers boosted in winter by continental migrants.
Year-round
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Osprey
Pandion haliaetusLC
A rare but celebrated breeder, recently established at Rutland Water nearby. Passage birds fish at the county's larger reservoirs.
Apr–Sep

Pectoral Sandpiper
Calidris melanotosLC
A rare autumn passage vagrant from the Americas, occasionally found on muddy reservoir edges from August to October.
Aug–Oct

Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinusLC
A rare but year-round resident, increasingly seen around church spires and tall buildings in the county's towns.
Year-round

Pink-footed Goose
Anser brachyrhynchusLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded in January and February at reservoirs or gravel pits, well south of its main wintering range.
Jan–Feb

Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
An uncommon year-round resident on deeper lakes and reservoirs. Nationally declining, making Northamptonshire sites increasingly important.
Year-round

Purple Heron
Ardea purpureaLC
A rare overshooting migrant with occasional June records, typically seen at wetland sites with extensive reedbeds.
Jun

Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally appearing in conifer plantations during irruption years, mainly between July and November.
Jul–Nov

Red Kite
Milvus milvusLC
Now a common and iconic sight soaring over farmland and villages, following successful reintroduction in the nearby Chilterns.
Year-round

Red Knot
Calidris canutusNT
A rare spring passage visitor, occasionally stopping at reservoir margins and gravel pits in May during northward migration.
May

Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serratorLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally appearing on larger waterbodies in February, far from its usual coastal haunts.
Feb

Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufinaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to reservoirs and gravel pits, most often recorded in winter months and occasionally in late summer.
Aug–Apr

Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufaNT
An uncommon but established resident of arable fields and hedgerows, maintained partly through releases for shooting.
Year-round

Red-necked Grebe
Podiceps grisegenaLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally turning up on larger reservoirs in late winter. A notable county record when found.
Feb

Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellataLC
A rare passage visitor, very occasionally recorded on reservoirs in late winter. An exciting inland record for the county.
Feb

Redshank
Tringa totanusLC
An uncommon year-round resident breeding on wet grassland. Numbers bolstered in winter by birds from further north.
Year-round