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 139–161 of 163 species
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelosLC
A common resident whose melodious, repeated phrases ring out from Shropshire's gardens and hedgerows. Often seen smashing snails on stones.
Year-round
Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLC
An uncommon but widespread resident, hunting small birds in woodlands, hedgerows, and gardens throughout the year. Often dashes low through gaps in hedges.
Year-round
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striataLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in May, favouring woodland edges and churchyards where it sallies from exposed perches for insects.
May–Sep
Stock Dove
Columba oenasLC
A common resident of farmland, parkland and old woodland, nesting in tree holes. Often seen in small flocks feeding on stubble fields.
Year-round
Stonechat
Saxicola torquatusLC
An uncommon year-round resident found on Shropshire's heathlands and gorse-covered hillsides, including the Long Mynd and Stiperstones.
Year-round
Tawny Owl
Strix alucoLC
A secretive year-round resident of mature woodland and parkland, more often heard calling at dusk than seen.
Year-round
Tree Pipit
Anthus trivialisLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April, favouring open woodland and heathland edges on the Shropshire Hills. Delivers its song in parachuting display flights.
Apr–Sep
Treecreeper
Certhia familiarisLC
An unobtrusive year-round resident, spiralling up tree trunks in Shropshire's mature woodlands and parklands, probing bark for insects.
Year-round
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Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligulaLC
An uncommon but widespread resident on meres, reservoirs and gravel pits. Numbers peak in winter with an influx of continental birds.
Year-round
Velvet Scoter
Melanitta fuscaVU
A rare passage bird, very occasionally found on larger water bodies in early winter. An unusual inland record for this predominantly coastal sea duck.
Jan–Mar
Water Pipit
Anthus spinolettaLC
A rare passage visitor noted briefly in March and November, occasionally stopping at watercress beds and marshy margins.
Nov–Mar
Water Rail
Rallus aquaticusLC
A secretive resident of reedbeds and marshy margins, more often heard than seen. Its pig-like squealing call echoes from wetlands such as Venus Pool.
Year-round
Western Marsh-harrier
Circus aeruginosusLC
A rare but increasingly noted raptor, occasionally seen quartering reedbeds and wetlands during passage and winter periods.
Sep–May
Wheatear
Oenanthe oenantheLC
A rare breeder on the Shropshire Hills, favouring open upland pastures and rocky slopes from March to October. Often spotted on fence posts.
Mar–Oct
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopusLC
A rare visitor on spring and summer passage, occasionally stopping at meres and wet meadows. Listen for its distinctive rippling call.
Apr–Jul
Whinchat
Saxicola rubetraLC
A rare summer breeder on rough upland pastures in the Shropshire Hills, present from April to September and declining nationally.
Apr–Sep
Whitethroat
Curruca communisLC
A common summer breeder, arriving in April to sing from hedgerows and scrubby field margins across the county.
Apr–Sep
Whooper Swan
Cygnus cygnusLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally turning up on meres and flooded fields between October and February. Distinguished from Mute Swan by its yellow-and-black bill.
Oct–Feb
Willow Warbler
Phylloscopus trochilusLC
A common summer breeder from April to September, favouring scrubby woodland edges and young plantations. Its sweet descending song fills Shropshire's hillsides.
Apr–Sep
Wood Sandpiper
Tringa glareolaLC
A rare autumn passage wader, occasionally stopping at Shropshire's meres and pools in August and September on its southward migration.
Aug–Sep
Wood Warbler
Phylloscopus sibilatrixLC
An uncommon passage visitor in May and June, once a more regular breeder in Shropshire's sessile oak woodlands. Now sadly declining nationally.
May–Jun
Woodpigeon
Columba palumbusLC
An abundant resident seen in woodlands, parks, gardens and farmland throughout the county. Large flocks gather on arable fields in winter.
Year-round
Yellow Wagtail
Motacilla flavaLC
An uncommon summer visitor breeding on lowland wet meadows and arable fields, arriving in April and departing by September.
Apr–Sep