What birds can I see in Shropshire?

Shropshire is home to 163 recorded bird species, ranging from common garden birds like the Great Tit and Magpie to more specialist species such as the Eurasian Woodcock and Common Merganser. The county's wetlands and meres also attract a variety of wildfowl, including Common Shelduck, Mandarin Duck, and Northern Pintail.

Where are the best birdwatching spots in Shropshire?

The meres and mosses of north Shropshire, including Ellesmere and Whixall Moss, are excellent for wintering wildfowl and wading birds. The Shropshire Hills offer upland species, while Venus Pool nature reserve near Shrewsbury is one of the county's premier birding sites for passage waders like the Common Sandpiper.

What winter birds visit Shropshire?

Winter brings an influx of wildfowl to Shropshire's lakes and wetlands, including Pink-footed Goose, Northern Pintail, and Common Merganser. The Northern Lapwing can also be seen in large flocks on farmland during the colder months.

Are there any unusual or rare birds in Shropshire?

The Mandarin Duck, originally native to East Asia, has established a feral breeding population in Shropshire and can be spotted along wooded rivers and pools. Passage migrants and occasional rarities also turn up at key wetland sites, making regular visits worthwhile throughout the year.

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.

GoldcrestSmallest · 8.5cm

Whooper SwanLargest · 165cm

Ranges from the Goldcrest (8.5cm) to the Whooper Swan (165cm)46 families represented

Showing 47–69 of 163 species

Eurasian Nuthatch

Sitta europaeaLC

A common resident of Shropshire's mature woodlands and parklands, often seen spiralling headfirst down oak trunks throughout the year.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Haematopus ostralegusNT

An uncommon visitor to Shropshire's river gravels and farmland, present from winter through summer. Increasingly breeds inland in the county.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Jan–Aug

Eurasian Siskin

Spinus spinusLC

An uncommon resident associated with conifer and alder woodland. Numbers increase in winter when continental birds arrive at garden feeders.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Skylark

Alauda arvensisLC

A common resident of open farmland and upland pastures, though declining nationally. Its song flight is a feature of spring.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Passer montanusLC

A rare and declining resident, found locally around farmyards and rural hedgerows. Shropshire holds scattered pockets of this scarce species.

ResidentRarely spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Wigeon

Mareca penelopeLC

An uncommon resident, mainly a winter visitor to meres and flooded meadows. Largely absent during the breeding season.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Jul–Apr

Eurasian Woodcock

Scolopax rusticolaLC

A secretive non-breeding visitor to woodland floors, most likely encountered during cold winter months. Occasionally flushed from damp leaf litter.

Non-breedingRarely spotted

Nov–Jun

Eurasian Wren

Troglodytes troglodytesLC

One of the county's most abundant residents, found in virtually every hedgerow, garden, and woodland understorey.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

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European Goldfinch

Carduelis carduelisLC

A common and colourful resident, readily visiting garden feeders. Flocks gather on teasel and thistle heads across Shropshire's farmland in autumn.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

European Green Woodpecker

Picus viridisLC

An uncommon year-round resident, often heard giving its laughing 'yaffle' call across parkland and old orchards. Feeds mainly on ants in Shropshire's pastures.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

European Herring Gull

Larus argentatusLC

An uncommon year-round visitor, increasingly seen inland at reservoirs and landfill sites across the county.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

European Pied Flycatcher

Ficedula hypoleucaLC

An uncommon breeding visitor to Shropshire's western oak woods, arriving in April and using nestboxes in valleys along the Welsh borders.

BreedingUncommonly spotted

Apr–Jun

European Robin

Erithacus rubeculaLC

One of Shropshire's most familiar garden birds, present year-round and singing through much of the year, even on mild winter days.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

Fieldfare

Turdus pilarisLC

A common winter visitor from Scandinavia, arriving in October and feeding in noisy flocks on Shropshire's hedgerow berries and open fields.

Non-breedingCommonly spotted

Oct–Apr

Firecrest

Regulus ignicapillaLC

A rare breeding visitor, occasionally nesting in conifer plantations and mixed woodland from April to June.

BreedingRarely spotted

Apr–Jun

Gadwall

Mareca streperaLC

An uncommon but year-round resident, favouring well-vegetated meres and pools. Often overlooked among flocks of more abundant dabbling ducks.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

Garden Warbler

Sylvia borinLC

An uncommon summer breeder from April to August, favouring dense woodland understorey and overgrown hedgerows. Its rich warbling song lacks the Blackcap's clarity.

BreedingUncommonly spotted

Apr–Aug