Birds in Somerset
Explore 192 species found in this region.
Somerset is one of the most rewarding counties in England for birdwatching, with 187 recorded species across its diverse landscapes. The Somerset Levels and Moors, a vast area of wetland and grazing marsh, attract spectacular species such as Great White Egret, Cetti's Warbler and Hen Harrier, while the coastline and estuaries host waders and gulls including the scarce Kentish Plover. From the Quantock Hills to Chew Valley Lake, the county offers year-round birding opportunities for beginners and experienced observers alike.
Visiting in April? Look out for Common Redstart and Common Reed-warbler arriving this month, and Black-necked Grebe and Brambling depart for the season.
Showing 24–46 of 192 species
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common year-round resident, abundant in farmland, woodland and gardens across Somerset, with winter flocks on stubble fields.
Year-round
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
A common resident heard year-round, with numbers boosted by continental migrants in autumn. Its repetitive two-note song is a familiar woodland sound.
Year-round
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
An uncommon resident of coniferous and mixed woodland, visiting garden feeders in winter. Often found in plantations on the Mendips and Quantocks.
Year-round
Common Crane
Grus grusLC
A rare but increasing resident following reintroduction on the Somerset Levels, now breeding in small numbers.
Year-round
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
An uncommon but regular gull across Somerset, frequenting farmland, reservoirs, and playing fields mainly outside the breeding season.
Jul–May
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
Found along Somerset's rivers, rhynes and drainage ditches year-round. A flash of electric blue is often the first sign.
Year-round
Common Loon
Gavia immerLC
A rare non-breeding visitor in winter, occasionally seen on Chew Valley Lake or Blagdon Lake and along the Somerset coast.
Nov–Jan
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
An uncommon winter visitor to rivers and reservoirs, present from October to April with numbers peaking in midwinter.
Oct–Apr
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Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
Widespread but uncommon across Somerset's farmland and woodland edges year-round, sustained largely by game-rearing releases.
Year-round
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
Increasingly seen over the Mendip Hills and Quantocks, with tumbling aerial displays in early spring.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
A rare visitor to Somerset, mainly seen in winter months around birch and alder woodland edges, sometimes mixing with lesser redpoll flocks.
Oct–May
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
A rare summer breeder, favouring mature oak woodland on the Quantocks and Exmoor fringes from April to September.
Apr–Sep
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
A common summer breeder in the extensive reedbeds of the Somerset Levels, present from April to September. A key species at Avalon Marshes reserves.
Apr–Sep
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
An uncommon visitor found along rivers and reservoir edges, most numerous on passage but recorded in most months.
Jul–May
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
An uncommon resident found on estuarine mudflats along the Severn and on the Somerset Levels throughout the year.
Year-round
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
Present year-round on the Somerset Levels, favouring wet grassland and marshes. Numbers swell in winter with continental arrivals.
Year-round
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
Famous for spectacular winter murmurations over the Levels, particularly at Ham Wall and Shapwick Heath.
Year-round
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
A common summer breeder screaming over towns and villages from late April to August, nesting under eaves and rooftops.
Apr–Sep
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
A rare breeder present from April to September, nesting at a handful of gravel pit and reservoir sites across the county.
Apr–Sep
Coot
Fulica atraLC
Common on lakes, reservoirs, and flooded gravel pits across Somerset year-round. Large winter flocks gather at Chew Valley Lake.
Year-round
Cuckoo
Cuculus canorusLC
An uncommon summer visitor arriving in April, favouring reed beds and hedgerows on the Levels. Declining nationally.
Apr–Jun
Curlew
Numenius arquataNT
An uncommon year-round resident, breeding on moorland fringes and wintering on the Levels. Its haunting call is a characteristic Somerset sound.
Year-round
Curlew Sandpiper
Calidris ferrugineaNT
A rare autumn passage migrant from August to October, picking through muddy margins on the Levels alongside commoner waders.
Aug–Oct