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 70–92 of 192 species
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
A common year-round resident on the Somerset Levels, favouring freshwater marshes, reservoirs, and flooded grasslands.
Year-round
Garden Warbler
Sylvia borinLC
An uncommon summer breeder found in dense scrub and woodland with thick undergrowth from April to August. A skulking bird with a rich, even song.
Apr–Aug
Garganey
Spatula querquedulaLC
A rare summer breeder on the Levels, arriving in spring and favouring shallow, well-vegetated wetlands for nesting.
Mar–Sep
Glossy Ibis
Plegadis falcinellusLC
A rare but increasingly regular resident on the Somerset Levels, part of a growing UK trend. Favours marshy pools and ditches.
Sep–May
Goldcrest
Regulus regulusLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of coniferous and mixed woodland. Britain's smallest bird, often detected by its thin, high-pitched call.
Year-round
Golden Plover
Pluvialis apricariaLC
An uncommon winter visitor forming flocks on the Somerset Levels and surrounding farmland from autumn to early spring.
Sep–Mar
Goldeneye
Bucephala clangulaLC
An uncommon winter visitor to Somerset's larger lakes, especially Chew Valley and Blagdon. Males are striking with their black and white plumage.
Oct–Apr
Grasshopper Warbler
Locustella naeviaLC
A scarce passage migrant in April and May, its insect-like reeling song heard from dense scrub and wetland margins.
Apr–May
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Great Black-backed Gull
Larus marinusLC
An uncommon year-round resident, seen along the coast and at inland reservoirs. The largest British gull, with a powerful build.
Year-round
Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carboLC
Common throughout the year on rivers, reservoirs, and the coast, often seen perched with wings outstretched on posts across the Levels.
Year-round
Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatusLC
A common resident on lakes, reservoirs, and larger waterways throughout Somerset. Spectacular courtship displays can be seen from early spring.
Year-round
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos majorLC
Resident in woodlands and mature gardens, often betrayed by its loud drumming in spring and sharp 'kik' call.
Year-round
Great Tit
Parus majorLC
A common and familiar garden resident found throughout Somerset year-round. Its bold 'teacher-teacher' song is one of the first heard in spring.
Year-round
Great White Egret
Ardea albaLC
Now a common year-round resident, having colonised the Somerset Levels in recent years. A conservation success story for the region.
Year-round
Greater Scaup
Aythya marilaLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally found on larger reservoirs and lakes from late autumn through to early spring.
Nov–Apr
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifronsLC
A rare winter visitor to the Somerset Levels, occasionally joining flocks of other grazing geese on flooded grasslands in January.
Jan
Green Sandpiper
Tringa ochropusLC
A scarce but regular visitor to ditches and pools on the Somerset Levels, present most months but typically elusive and solitary.
Apr–Feb
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
A year-round resident of hedgerows and gardens, though numbers have declined sharply in Somerset due to trichomonosis disease.
Year-round
Greenshank
Tringa nebulariaLC
A rare breeder in Somerset, mainly noted on passage from late spring through autumn at wetland sites on the Levels and coast.
Apr–Oct
Grey Heron
Ardea cinereaLC
A familiar sight standing motionless in rhynes and flooded meadows across the Levels, present year-round and breeding in established heronries.
Year-round
Grey Phalarope
Phalaropus fulicariusLC
A rare autumn passage visitor in September, typically storm-driven to Somerset's coast and occasionally found on inland pools on the Levels.
Sep
Grey Plover
Pluvialis squatarolaLC
A rare but near year-round visitor, found on the Severn Estuary mudflats and Bridgwater Bay, most scarce during midsummer months.
Aug–May
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinereaLC
Found year-round along Somerset's streams and rivers, bobbing its long tail on weedy rocks. Moves to lowland waterways in winter.
Year-round