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.

Goldcrest
GoldcrestSmallest · 8.5cm
to
Whooper Swan
Whooper SwanLargest · 165cm
Ranges from the Goldcrest (8.5cm) to the Whooper Swan (165cm)48 families represented

Showing 116138 of 181 species

Meadow Pipit

Meadow Pipit

Anthus pratensisLC

An uncommon resident found on rough grassland, reservoir edges, and farmland throughout the year, with numbers boosted by winter visitors.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Mistle Thrush

Mistle Thrush

Turdus viscivorusLC

An uncommon resident of parkland, orchards and open woodland. One of the earliest songsters, singing from treetops even in midwinter.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Moorhen

Moorhen

Gallinula chloropusLC

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

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Mute Swan

Mute Swan

Cygnus olorLC

A common resident on rivers, lakes, and canals throughout the county, breeding readily on the Nene and at reservoirs.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Nightingale

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.

BreedingRarely spotted

Apr–Jun

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Northern Lapwing

Northern Lapwing

Vanellus vanellusNT

A common resident of arable farmland and wet grassland. Winter flocks gather on ploughed fields, though breeding numbers are declining.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Northern Pintail

Northern Pintail

Anas acutaLC

An uncommon non-breeding visitor to reservoirs and flooded fields from autumn through spring, with numbers peaking in winter.

Non-breedingUncommonly spotted

Sep–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Northern Shoveler

Northern Shoveler

Spatula clypeataLC

Present year-round at the county's reservoirs and gravel pits, with numbers boosted in winter by continental migrants.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

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Osprey

Osprey

Pandion haliaetusLC

A rare but celebrated breeder, recently established at Rutland Water nearby. Passage birds fish at the county's larger reservoirs.

BreedingRarely spotted

Apr–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Pectoral Sandpiper

Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris melanotosLC

A rare autumn passage vagrant from the Americas, occasionally found on muddy reservoir edges from August to October.

PassageRarely spotted

Aug–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinusLC

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

ResidentRarely spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Pink-footed Goose

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.

PassageRarely spotted

Jan–Feb

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Pochard

Pochard

Aythya ferinaVU

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

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Purple Heron

Purple Heron

Ardea purpureaLC

A rare overshooting migrant with occasional June records, typically seen at wetland sites with extensive reedbeds.

PassageRarely spotted

Jun

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red Crossbill

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostraLC

A rare passage visitor, occasionally appearing in conifer plantations during irruption years, mainly between July and November.

PassageRarely spotted

Jul–Nov

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red Kite

Red Kite

Milvus milvusLC

Now a common and iconic sight soaring over farmland and villages, following successful reintroduction in the nearby Chilterns.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red Knot

Red Knot

Calidris canutusNT

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

PassageRarely spotted

May

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-breasted Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Mergus serratorLC

A rare passage visitor, occasionally appearing on larger waterbodies in February, far from its usual coastal haunts.

PassageRarely spotted

Feb

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-crested Pochard

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.

Non-breedingRarely spotted

Aug–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-legged Partridge

Red-legged Partridge

Alectoris rufaNT

An uncommon but established resident of arable fields and hedgerows, maintained partly through releases for shooting.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-necked Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Podiceps grisegenaLC

A rare passage visitor, occasionally turning up on larger reservoirs in late winter. A notable county record when found.

PassageRarely spotted

Feb

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-throated Loon

Red-throated Loon

Gavia stellataLC

A rare passage visitor, very occasionally recorded on reservoirs in late winter. An exciting inland record for the county.

PassageRarely spotted

Feb

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Redshank

Redshank

Tringa totanusLC

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

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
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