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 139–161 of 181 species
Redwing
Turdus iliacusNT
A common winter visitor from Scandinavia, foraging in hedgerows and on berry-laden trees from October to April.
Oct–Apr
Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclusLC
A common resident of reedbeds, ditches, and waterside vegetation along the Nene Valley, often visiting farmland stubble in winter.
Year-round
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatusLC
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally stopping on open farmland and hilltops in April as it heads to upland breeding grounds further north and west.
Apr
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
An uncommon breeder at gravel pits and reservoir margins, present from February to October with peak passage in spring.
Feb–Oct
Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
Feral populations are present year-round in towns across the county, though less conspicuous than in larger urban centres.
Year-round
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
A common and sociable resident of farmland, nesting in noisy rookeries in tall trees across the county.
Year-round
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Alexandrinus krameriLC
A rare but increasing resident, part of the expanding feral population spreading from London. Noisy flocks occasionally appear at garden feeders.
Year-round
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensisLC
Once bred locally but now very rare following national eradication efforts; occasional lingering birds are still recorded at gravel pits.
Sep–May
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Ruddy Shelduck
Tadorna ferrugineaLC
A rare midsummer vagrant, with occasional July records likely involving escaped or wandering birds from continental Europe.
Jul
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpresLC
A rare passage visitor to reservoir edges in May and August, far from its usual coastal haunts.
May–Aug
Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
A rare visitor to shallow wetland margins, occurring mainly on spring and autumn passage at the county's reservoirs.
Mar–Dec
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
An uncommon summer breeder nesting in sandy banks along rivers and at gravel pits, arriving from March.
Mar–Sep
Sanderling
Calidris albaLC
Rarely recorded inland, this coastal wader occasionally stops at gravel pits and reservoirs on spring passage in May and June.
May–Jun
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
An uncommon summer breeder found in reedbeds and waterside vegetation around the county's reservoirs and gravel pits from April to October.
Apr–Oct
Smew
Mergellus albellusLC
A rare and elegant winter visitor to the county's reservoirs and gravel pits, most likely during cold spells from November to March.
Nov–Mar
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelosLC
A common resident of gardens, hedgerows and woodland. Often heard smashing snail shells on a favourite stone anvil across the county.
Year-round
Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLC
An uncommon but widespread resident hunting small birds in woodland, hedgerows and gardens throughout the county.
Year-round
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striataLC
An uncommon and declining summer visitor, arriving in May. Favours churchyards, parkland and woodland edges for its aerial flycatching sorties.
May–Oct
Spotted Redshank
Tringa erythropusLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally seen at reservoir and gravel pit margins from August to October.
Aug–Oct
Stock Dove
Columba oenasLC
A common resident of farmland, parkland and woodland edges year-round. Nests in tree holes and old buildings across the county.
Year-round
Stonechat
Saxicola torquatusLC
An uncommon non-breeding visitor to rough grassland and scrubby margins from autumn through winter. Often perches prominently on fence posts.
Sep–Mar
Tawny Owl
Strix alucoLC
A scarce resident of mature woodland and parkland, more often heard than seen. Its hooting call carries across the county's quieter wooded valleys.
Year-round
Tree Pipit
Anthus trivialisLC
A rare summer breeder arriving in April, favouring open woodland and heathland edges. Has declined sharply across lowland England.
Apr–Jun