Birds to See in Somerset in May
151 bird species on our list for Somerset are recorded regularly in May
Of these, the most often recorded are Blackbird, Woodpigeon, European Robin, Carrion Crow and Eurasian Wren. New this month: Spotted Flycatcher, Nightjar, Manx Shearwater and Black-crowned Night-heron.
On the move in May
GBIF · MayArriving
At their peak
From Somerset’s bird records, 2019–2024: arriving birds are regular this month but not last; leaving birds are regular this month but not next.
Other months
All 151 birds in May
151 birds
BlackbirdTurdus merulaResidentCommon24–25 cmRecorded all year · 3.78% in May
WoodpigeonColumba palumbusResidentCommon40–42 cmRecorded all year · 3.60% in May
European RobinErithacus rubeculaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 3.17% in May
Carrion CrowCorvus coroneResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 3.13% in May
Eurasian WrenTroglodytes troglodytesResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 2.55% in May
MagpiePica picaResidentCommon44–46 cmRecorded all year · 2.53% in May
JackdawColoeus monedulaResidentCommon34–39 cmRecorded all year · 2.45% in May
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleusResidentCommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 2.42% in May
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybitaSummer visitorCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 2.35% in May
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 2.32% in May
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 2.29% in May
Great TitParus majorResidentCommonRecorded all year · 2.15% in May
European Herring GullLarus argentatusResidentCommon55–67 cmRecorded all year · 2.12% in May
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 2.00% in May
BlackcapSylvia atricapillaResidentCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.96% in May
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusResidentCommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 1.94% in May
DunnockPrunella modularisResidentCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.77% in May
ChaffinchFringilla coelebsResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 1.73% in May
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentCommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 1.68% in May
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.63% in May
Common SwiftApus apusSummer visitorCommon16–17 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 1.55% in May
BuzzardButeo buteoResidentCommon51–57 cmRecorded all year · 1.46% in May
Common Reed-warblerAcrocephalus scirpaceusSummer visitorCommon13–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 1.36% in May
Grey HeronArdea cinereaResidentCommon90–98 cmRecorded all year · 1.30% in May
MoorhenGallinula chloropusResidentCommon30–38 cmRecorded all year · 1.29% in May
Song ThrushTurdus philomelosResidentCommon20–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.22% in May
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.22% in May
Cetti's WarblerCettia cettiResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.21% in May
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboResidentCommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 1.19% in May
CootFulica atraResidentCommon36–42 cmRecorded all year · 1.18% in May
WhitethroatCurruca communisSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 1.15% in May
Great White EgretArdea albaResidentCommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 1.05% in May
GadwallMareca streperaResidentCommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 1.02% in May
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatusResidentCommon13–16 cmRecorded all year · 1.01% in May
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.01% in May
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.97% in May
House MartinDelichon urbicumSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.96% in May
Little EgretEgretta garzettaResidentCommon55–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.96% in May
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilusSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.93% in May
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatusResidentCommon46–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.92% in May
Western Marsh-harrierCircus aeruginosusResidentCommon48–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.92% in May
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.92% in May
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos majorResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.91% in May
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclusResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.89% in May
GreenfinchChloris chlorisResidentCommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.84% in May
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentCommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.83% in May
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaResidentCommon40–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.83% in May
Eurasian SkylarkAlauda arvensisResidentCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.82% in May
RookCorvus frugilegusResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.80% in May
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenusSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.78% in May
Northern LapwingVanellus vanellusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.77% in May
CuckooCuculus canorusPassage migrantCommon32–34 cmRegularly Apr–Jun · 0.74% in May
HobbyFalco subbuteoSummer visitorCommon28–35 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.70% in May
Eurasian BitternBotaurus stellarisSummer visitorCommon69–81 cmRegularly Jan–Nov · 0.68% in May
Pied WagtailMotacilla albaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.68% in May
Common ShelduckTadorna tadornaResidentCommon58–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.68% in May
LinnetLinaria cannabinaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.67% in May
Stock DoveColumba oenasResidentCommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.64% in May
PochardAythya ferinaResidentCommon42–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in May
Eurasian JayGarrulus glandariusResidentCommon32–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.61% in May
Garden WarblerSylvia borinSummer visitorCommon14–15 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.60% in May
GoldcrestRegulus regulusResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.58% in May
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentCommon75–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.57% in May
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.57% in May
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusResidentCommon38–44 cmRecorded all year · 0.56% in May
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollisResidentCommon23–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.50% in May
European Green WoodpeckerPicus viridisResidentCommon30–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.42% in May
KestrelFalco tinnunculusResidentCommon32–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.42% in May
Eurasian OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusResidentCommon40–45 cmRecorded all year · 0.41% in May
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataWinter visitorCommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.41% in May
Coal TitPeriparus aterResidentCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in May
Red KiteMilvus milvusResidentUncommon60–66 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in May
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusPassage migrantUncommon40–46 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.35% in May
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.32% in May
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisusResidentCommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in May
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinereaResidentCommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in May
StonechatSaxicola rubicolaResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in May
RedshankTringa totanusResidentCommon27–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in May
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in May
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorusResidentUncommon26–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in May
Lesser WhitethroatCurruca currucaSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.25% in May
Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosaSummer visitorCommon40–44 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in May
CurlewNumenius arquataResidentCommon50–60 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in May
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhulaResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in May
Eurasian NuthatchSitta europaeaResidentUncommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in May
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensisWinter visitorCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in May
TreecreeperCerthia familiarisResidentUncommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in May
Yellow WagtailMotacilla flavaSummer visitorUncommon15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.20% in May
Water RailRallus aquaticusResidentCommon23–28 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in May
DunlinCalidris alpinaWinter visitorCommon16–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in May
Common KingfisherAlcedo atthisResidentCommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in May
GarganeySpatula querquedulaSummer visitorUncommon37–41 cmRegularly Jan–Oct · 0.15% in May
Cattle EgretArdea ibisResidentUncommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in May
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · records held back in May (protected)
AvocetRecurvirostra avosettaResidentUncommon42–45 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in May
WheatearOenanthe oenanthePassage migrantCommon15–16 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.13% in May
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in May
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticulaWinter visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.12% in May
Tawny OwlStrix alucoResidentUncommon37–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in May
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striataSummer visitorUncommon14–16 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.11% in May
European Pied FlycatcherFicedula hypoleucaPassage migrantUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.10% in May
Common RedstartPhoenicurus phoenicurusSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.10% in May
Little Ringed PloverThinornis dubiusSummer visitorUncommon14–17 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.10% in May
Eurasian SiskinSpinus spinusResidentUncommon11–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in May
Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucosWinter visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.10% in May
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorCommon42–51 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.09% in May
Tree PipitAnthus trivialisSummer visitorUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.09% in May
Wood WarblerPhylloscopus sibilatrixPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Jun · 0.09% in May
Barn OwlTyto albaResidentUncommon33–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in May
RuffCalidris pugnaxPassage migrantUncommon20–32 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.08% in May
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinellaResidentUncommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in May
Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellusPassage migrantUncommon48–66 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.08% in May
Bearded TitPanurus biarmicusResidentUncommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in May
Egyptian GooseAlopochen aegyptiacaResidentUncommon63–73 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in May
DipperCinclus cinclusResidentUncommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in May
Common SnipeGallinago gallinagoWinter visitorCommon25–27 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.06% in May
Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponicaWinter visitorUncommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
Marsh TitPoecile palustrisResidentUncommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorCommon59–76 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.05% in May
Eurasian SpoonbillPlatalea leucorodiaSummer visitorUncommon80–90 cmRegularly Jan–Nov · 0.05% in May
Rock PipitAnthus petrosusResidentUncommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in May
Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufaSummer visitorRare32–34 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.04% in May
OspreyPandion haliaetusPassage migrantUncommon54–58 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.04% in May
WhinchatSaxicola rubetraSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in May
Common GullLarus canusWinter visitorCommon40–46 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.04% in May
Wood SandpiperTringa glareolaPassage migrantUncommon19–21 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.04% in May
NightingaleLuscinia megarhynchosPassage migrantRare15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Jun · 0.03% in May
Black TernChlidonias nigerPassage migrantUncommon22–26 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.03% in May
Common RedpollAcanthis flammeaWinter visitorUncommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.03% in May
Little OwlAthene noctuaResidentUncommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in May
Mandarin DuckAix galericulataResidentUncommon41–49 cmRegularly Dec–Sep · 0.03% in May
SanderlingCalidris albaWinter visitorUncommon18–20 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.03% in May
GreenshankTringa nebulariaPassage migrantUncommon30–35 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.02% in May
FirecrestRegulus ignicapillaWinter visitorUncommon9–10 cmRegularly Sep–Jun · 0.02% in May
Grasshopper WarblerLocustella naeviaPassage migrantUncommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.02% in May
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentRare15–17 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.02% in May
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresWinter visitorUncommon21–24 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.02% in May
Arctic TernSterna paradisaeaPassage migrantUncommon33–39 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.01% in May
Spotted RedshankTringa erythropusPassage migrantUncommon29–31 cmRegularly Jan–Oct · 0.01% in May
Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsisResidentUncommon58–70 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.01% in May
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorUncommon55–66 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in May
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorUncommon31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in May
Lesser Spotted WoodpeckerDryobates minorPassage migrantRare14–16 cmRegularly Jan–May · 0.01% in May
NightjarCaprimulgus europaeusSummer visitorRare24–28 cmRegularly May–Jul · 0.01% in May
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusPassage migrantRare41–46 cmRegularly Mar–May · 0.01% in May
Northern GannetMorus bassanusResidentRare87–100 cmRegularly Apr–Nov · 0.01% in May
KittiwakeRissa tridactylaResidentRare37–41 cmRegularly Nov–May · 0.01% in May
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.01% in May
Manx ShearwaterPuffinus puffinusSummer visitorRare30–38 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.01% in May
Black-crowned Night-heronNycticorax nycticoraxScarceRare58–65 cmRegularly May · 0.00% in May
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made