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 139–161 of 192 species
Red Kite
Milvus milvusLC
An uncommon but increasing year-round resident, now regularly soaring over farmland and motorway corridors following successful reintroductions nearby.
Year-round
Red Knot
Calidris canutusNT
A rare non-breeding visitor from August to March, frequenting the mudflats of Bridgwater Bay and the Severn Estuary shoreline.
Aug–Mar
Red-backed Shrike
Lanius collurioLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally recorded in September. Most sightings involve juveniles drifted off course on their first southward migration.
Sep
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serratorLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded on Somerset's coast or larger reservoirs in late autumn.
Nov
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufinaLC
A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally turning up on reservoirs and larger lakes in November.
Nov
Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufaNT
A rare breeding species on Somerset's arable farmland, most conspicuous in spring and early summer when calling from open fields.
Mar–Jul
Red-necked Phalarope
Phalaropus lobatusLC
A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally dropping in at Somerset's wetland reserves in September. A prized find for local birders.
Sep
Redshank
Tringa totanusLC
Breeds on the Somerset Levels and winters along the Severn Estuary. Its piping calls are a familiar sound over wet grassland year-round.
Year-round
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Redwing
Turdus iliacusNT
A common winter visitor from Scandinavia, flocking on the Somerset Levels and in hedgerow-rich farmland from October to April.
Oct–Apr
Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclusLC
An uncommon resident of reedbeds and damp ditches, particularly associated with the Somerset Levels throughout the year.
Year-round
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatusLC
A rare autumn passage migrant in October, occasionally stopping on the Mendip Hills and Quantocks during southward migration.
Oct
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
A rare resident, thinly spread along the coast and on gravel margins. More often noted on passage at wetland sites.
Year-round
Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
Common in towns and cities year-round as feral pigeons, with some purer-looking birds along the coast.
Year-round
Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosusLC
A rare resident clinging to Somerset's rocky coastline, foraging among seaweed-strewn boulders and cliff faces year-round.
Year-round
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
A common resident forming noisy rookeries in tall trees across Somerset's farmland. Large flocks forage in ploughed fields throughout the year.
Year-round
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensisLC
Now a rare non-breeding visitor following national eradication efforts. Occasionally recorded on lakes and reservoirs.
Aug–Mar
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpresLC
A rare non-breeding visitor, occasionally seen on rocky shores along the Severn Estuary coast outside summer months.
Aug–Mar
Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
A rare visitor to flooded fields and marshes on the Somerset Levels, most likely in autumn passage but occasionally lingering into winter.
Apr–Jan
Sabine's Gull
Xema sabiniLC
A rare autumn passage visitor, typically storm-driven to the Somerset coast in September. Most sightings come from seawatching points.
Sep
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
Breeds in small colonies along sandy riverbanks and gravel pits from March to September, often seen hawking insects over the Somerset Levels.
Mar–Sep
Sanderling
Calidris albaLC
A rare passage wader in Somerset, occasionally seen on sandy shores at Berrow or Burnham in late summer before heading south.
Aug–Sep
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April, favouring ditches and reedbeds on the Somerset Levels. Its rapid, chattering song includes mimicry.
Apr–Sep
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeusLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally seen quartering the Levels in February and November.
Nov–Feb