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 116–138 of 192 species
Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatusLC
Roving family flocks move through hedgerows and gardens year-round, keeping contact with soft 'tsee' calls.
Year-round
Magpie
Pica picaLC
A common and conspicuous resident found in gardens, farmland, and hedgerows throughout Somerset. Easily recognised by its bold black-and-white plumage.
Year-round
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
Abundant and familiar year-round on rivers, lakes, farmland ponds and urban parks across the county.
Year-round
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to wooded waterways in Somerset, most likely seen in winter and early spring on sheltered rivers.
Dec–Apr
Manx Shearwater
Puffinus puffinusLC
A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally seen offshore from the Somerset coast in September, typically driven closer to shore by strong westerly winds.
Sep
Marsh Tit
Poecile palustrisLC
A scarce resident of mature deciduous woodland with dense understorey. A declining species nationally, making Somerset sightings increasingly valued.
Year-round
Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensisLC
A year-round resident found on moorland, rough grassland, and the open Levels. Numbers swell in winter with birds moving down from upland areas.
Year-round
Merlin
Falco columbariusLC
A rare winter visitor, present from October to April. Hunts low over the Levels and coastal marshes, pursuing small birds with dashing agility.
Oct–Apr
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Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorusLC
Present year-round in parkland and hedgerow trees, often the first thrush to sing in late winter from exposed treetops across the county.
Year-round
Moorhen
Gallinula chloropusLC
A common resident of ponds, ditches, and waterways across Somerset, readily seen on the Levels and in village ponds.
Year-round
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
A graceful, common resident on Somerset's rivers, lakes, and Levels. Breeds widely and gathers in large herds outside the nesting season.
Year-round
Nightingale
Luscinia megarhynchosLC
A rare passage visitor in April and May, occasionally heard singing in dense scrub but Somerset lies at the western edge of its UK range.
Apr–May
Nightjar
Caprimulgus europaeusLC
A rare passage visitor in June, occasionally noted on heathlands such as the Quantocks or Exmoor fringes.
Jun
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellusNT
A common resident of the Somerset Levels, breeding on wet grassland in spring and forming large winter flocks with tumbling aerial displays.
Year-round
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
An elegant winter visitor to the Somerset Levels, favouring flooded grassland and shallow pools from autumn through to spring.
Aug–Apr
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
Common on the Somerset Levels and reservoirs year-round, with large winter flocks gathering on flooded grasslands.
Year-round
Osprey
Pandion haliaetusLC
A rare but regular passage visitor in spring and autumn, hunting over the lakes and wetlands of the Levels and Chew Valley.
Apr–Oct
Pectoral Sandpiper
Calidris melanotosLC
A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally appearing on the Somerset Levels' muddy pools and flooded fields in September.
Sep
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinusLC
An uncommon year-round resident, nesting on cliffs and tall buildings. Often seen hunting over the Levels and around church towers.
Year-round
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
An uncommon resident, breeding at a few sites but more numerous in winter on reservoirs like Chew Valley Lake.
Year-round
Purple Heron
Ardea purpureaLC
A rare spring passage visitor, occasionally recorded in May on the Somerset Levels. One of the county's most prized overshooting migrants from southern Europe.
May
Purple Sandpiper
Calidris maritimaLC
A rare winter passage visitor in January and February, occasionally found on rocky outcrops along the Somerset coast near Minehead.
Jan–Feb
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally irrupting into Somerset's conifer plantations. November sightings reflect sporadic movements from the continent.
Nov