Birds in Shropshire
Explore 163 species found in this region.
Shropshire's diverse landscape of rolling hills, river valleys, meres, and mosses supports a rich variety of birdlife, with 163 species recorded across the county. From the upland habitats of the Shropshire Hills AONB, home to species such as the Eurasian Woodcock and Northern Lapwing, to the lowland lakes and wetlands that attract wintering wildfowl like Pink-footed Goose and Northern Pintail, the county offers rewarding birding throughout the year. Notable species include the striking Mandarin Duck, the elegant Common Merganser along the River Severn, and familiar garden visitors such as the Great Tit and Magpie.
Visiting in April? Look out for Common Redstart and Common Reed-warbler arriving this month, and Eurasian Woodcock and Great Black-backed Gull depart for the season.
Showing 24–46 of 163 species
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
Abundant year-round across farmland, woodland edges and hedgerows, largely sustained by regular releases for shooting.
Year-round
Common Quail
Coturnix coturnixLC
A rare summer breeder from May to August, more often heard than seen calling from arable fields and hay meadows.
May–Aug
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
A common resident favoured by Shropshire's hilly western borderlands. Often seen tumbling in pairs over the Long Mynd and Stiperstones ridges.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
An uncommon resident favouring birch and alder woodland, most visible in winter flocks but scarce during the summer breeding months.
Sep–May
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
An uncommon summer breeder favouring mature oak woodlands, particularly along the Welsh borders. The male's fiery orange tail is unmistakable.
Apr–Sep
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
An uncommon summer breeder found in reedbeds around Shropshire's meres and mosses from April to September, singing its chattering song.
Apr–Sep
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
An uncommon breeding visitor from April to September, favouring stony riverbanks and reservoir margins. Bobs its tail constantly while foraging along Shropshire's upland streams.
Apr–Sep
Common Scoter
Melanitta nigraLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally seen on larger meres and reservoirs in late summer and autumn during overland movements.
Jul–Nov
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Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
An uncommon resident, favouring larger meres and gravel pits. Small numbers breed in the county, with more present in winter.
Year-round
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
An uncommon year-round resident of wet meadows and marshy ground, with numbers boosted by winter arrivals. Often detected by its rasping display flight.
Year-round
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
A common but declining resident, forming spectacular winter murmurations over Shropshire towns. Breeds in holes in buildings and old trees.
Year-round
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
A summer visitor screaming over Shropshire's towns and villages from late April to August. Nests under eaves of older buildings but numbers are declining.
Apr–Sep
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally spotted at reservoirs and meres during spring and autumn migration.
Apr–Sep
Coot
Fulica atraLC
A common sight on meres, pools and reservoirs year-round, often forming large winter flocks. Easily recognised by its white frontal shield.
Year-round
Corn Bunting
Emberiza calandraLC
A rare and declining resident of open arable farmland in the north of the county. One of the UK's most threatened farmland birds.
Year-round
Cuckoo
Cuculus canorusLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April. Its distinctive call carries across farmland, heaths and woodland edges countywide.
Apr–Jul
Curlew
Numenius arquataNT
An uncommon resident of upland pastures and moorland fringes, with breeding birds on the Shropshire Hills. A priority conservation species in steep decline.
Feb–Dec
Dipper
Cinclus cinclusLC
A scarce resident found along fast-flowing streams in the Shropshire Hills, bobbing on rocks before plunging into the current.
Year-round
Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLC
A rare breeder on upland moorland in the Shropshire Hills, with passage birds also noted at pools from July to November.
Apr–Nov
Dunnock
Prunella modularisLC
A common resident found year-round in hedgerows, gardens and woodland edges. Its shuffling gait and thin song are familiar across the county.
Year-round
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacaLC
A rare but year-round resident, this introduced species is slowly spreading and may be seen on lakes and pools across the county.
Year-round
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
A familiar year-round resident of gardens, farms and villages. Its monotonous three-note call is a constant soundtrack across the county.
Year-round
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
A colourful resident of oak woodland, commonly seen burying acorns in autumn across the county's woods and parks.
Year-round