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 93–115 of 163 species
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscusLC
A common resident seen year-round at reservoirs, tips and ploughed fields. Numbers peak in summer, with many passing through on migration.
Year-round
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Dryobates minorLC
A rare breeding visitor from February to June, found in mature broadleaved woodland. Severely declining nationally, making Shropshire's old orchards and parklands important.
Feb–Jun
Lesser Whitethroat
Curruca currucaLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April, favouring tall hedgerows and scrubby thickets. Its rattling song is easily overlooked.
Apr–Sep
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
A common resident of farmland, rough grassland and gorse-covered hillsides. Often forms sociable flocks in winter across Shropshire's open countryside.
Year-round
Little Bittern
Ixobrychus minutusLC
An exceptionally rare passage visitor, with July records representing vagrant occurrences. One of the county's most prized rarities when found.
Jul
Little Egret
Egretta garzettaLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, now seen year-round along rivers, pools and meres. A relatively recent addition to Shropshire's breeding birds.
Year-round
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollisLC
An uncommon resident breeding on quiet pools and meres, often heard giving its distinctive whinnying trill in spring.
Year-round
Little Owl
Athene noctuaLC
A rare breeding resident of farmland with old trees and barns, most vocal in spring but increasingly scarce across the county.
Feb–Oct
Spotted something?
Upload a photo to identify it
Identify
Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubiusLC
An uncommon summer breeder, nesting on gravel pits and bare ground near water from March to September. A scarce but regular sight at Venus Pool.
Mar–Sep
Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatusLC
A charming resident seen year-round in noisy family flocks moving through Shropshire's hedgerows and woodland edges.
Year-round
Magpie
Pica picaLC
A common and conspicuous resident found year-round in gardens, hedgerows, and farmland. Its chattering call is a familiar sound across the county.
Year-round
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
A common year-round resident on virtually any waterbody, from town park ponds to the River Severn and Shropshire's many meres.
Year-round
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
A rare but resident breeder, favouring wooded rivers and pools. Look along the Severn and its tributaries for this stunning duck.
Year-round
Marsh Tit
Poecile palustrisLC
An uncommon resident of mature deciduous woodland with dense understorey. Declining nationally but still found in Shropshire's ancient woods year-round.
Year-round
Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensisLC
A common resident of Shropshire's upland moors and rough grasslands, with its parachuting song flight a characteristic sight on the hills.
Year-round
Merlin
Falco columbariusLC
A rare non-breeding visitor, mainly in autumn and winter, hunting over open moorland and farmland. Most likely on the Long Mynd and Shropshire's upland fringes.
Sep–Apr
Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorusLC
An uncommon year-round resident, often heard singing boldly from tall trees in parkland and open countryside even in midwinter.
Year-round
Moorhen
Gallinula chloropusLC
A common resident of ponds, ditches and waterway margins throughout the county. Often seen flicking its tail nervously as it picks along muddy edges.
Year-round
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
A familiar resident of the county's meres, canals and rivers throughout the year. Pairs nest along the Severn and at many Shropshire pools.
Year-round
Nightjar
Caprimulgus europaeusLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded in June. Heathland habitat at sites like the Long Mynd may attract passing birds.
Jun
Northern Goshawk
Accipiter gentilisLC
A rare and secretive resident of large forests, including plantations near the Welsh border. Shropshire's woodlands support a small but established population.
Year-round
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellusNT
A year-round resident of farmland and wet pastures, though breeding numbers have declined sharply. Winter flocks gather on ploughed fields.
Year-round
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
An elegant non-breeding visitor to Shropshire's meres and floodplains from autumn to early spring. The drake's chocolate head and long tail are distinctive.
Sep–Mar