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 47–69 of 192 species
Dartford Warbler
Curruca undataNT
A rare passage visitor in May, this heathland specialist occasionally wanders into Somerset's gorse-covered commons and coastal scrub.
May
Dipper
Cinclus cinclusLC
A rare breeding visitor to fast-flowing streams on Exmoor's fringes, bobbing on rocks before plunging into the current to feed.
Apr–Jul
Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLC
An uncommon year-round resident, frequenting the Severn Estuary mudflats and flooded fields on the Somerset Levels.
Year-round
Dunnock
Prunella modularisLC
A common year-round resident of hedgerows and garden shrubberies, often shuffling quietly through undergrowth with its thin, insistent song.
Year-round
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacaLC
A scarce but year-round resident, this naturalised species frequents lakes and grassy margins across the county.
Year-round
Eurasian Bittern
Botaurus stellarisLC
An uncommon but iconic resident of the Somerset Levels reedbeds. Easiest to detect by its booming call in spring at sites like Ham Wall and Shapwick Heath.
Year-round
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
A common resident found in gardens, farmyards, and villages throughout the county, with its monotonous call heard year-round.
Year-round
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
A colourful but wary year-round resident of broadleaved woodland, most conspicuous in autumn when caching acorns across the Quantocks and Mendips.
Year-round
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Eurasian Nuthatch
Sitta europaeaLC
A year-round resident of mature deciduous woodlands, often seen spiralling headfirst down oak and beech trunks in the Quantocks and Mendip Hills.
Year-round
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegusNT
An uncommon resident, breeding along the Severn Estuary coast and occasionally inland on the Levels.
Year-round
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
An uncommon resident, most conspicuous in winter when flocks visit alder trees along Somerset's rivers and garden feeders.
Year-round
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
An uncommon year-round resident of open farmland and grassland. Delivers its distinctive song flight over the Levels and Mendip slopes.
Year-round
Eurasian Spoonbill
Platalea leucorodiaLC
A rare but increasingly regular passage visitor to the Somerset Levels, appearing in spring and autumn at wetland reserves.
Apr–Oct
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
Flocks winter on the Somerset Levels and coastal marshes, their whistling calls carrying across flooded fields. Scarce in midsummer.
Aug–Jun
Eurasian Woodcock
Scolopax rusticolaLC
A rare passage visitor noted in January, likely involving continental birds moving through. Favours damp woodland and boggy fields.
Jan
Eurasian Wren
Troglodytes troglodytesLC
One of Somerset's most abundant residents, its explosive song rings out year-round from hedgerows, gardens and woodland undergrowth.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A familiar year-round resident, often seen in gardens and on teasel-rich farmland. Flocks gather on the Somerset Levels in autumn and winter.
Year-round
European Green Woodpecker
Picus viridisLC
An uncommon resident of parkland, orchards, and woodland edges. Its loud laughing call, or 'yaffle', is often heard before the bird is seen.
Year-round
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
Common year-round across Somerset, from coastal towns to inland tips. A noisy, familiar presence on rooftops and at landfill sites.
Year-round
European Pied Flycatcher
Ficedula hypoleucaLC
A rare breeding visitor to oak woodlands, mainly in the west of the county. Arrives in April and departs by June.
Apr–Jun
European Robin
Erithacus rubeculaLC
An ever-present garden favourite across Somerset, singing through much of the year from hedgerows, parks and woodland floors.
Year-round
Fieldfare
Turdus pilarisLC
A winter visitor arriving in October, feeding in flocks on berry-laden hedgerows across Somerset's farmland.
Oct–Apr
Firecrest
Regulus ignicapillaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor found in sheltered woodland and scrub from October to March. Listen for its high-pitched call.
Oct–Mar