Birds in Staffordshire
Explore 197 species found in this region.
Staffordshire supports a rich and varied birdlife, with 193 species recorded across the county's diverse habitats, from the moorland edges of the Peak District in the north to the lowland wetlands and river valleys further south. Notable species include the elegant Northern Lapwing on farmland, the striking Mandarin Duck along wooded waterways, and scarce winter visitors such as the Great Grey Shrike. With reservoirs like Blithfield and Chasewater providing important refuges for wildfowl and waders, the county offers rewarding birdwatching opportunities throughout the year.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Bar-tailed Godwit arriving this month, and Black Grouse and Black Swan depart for the season.
Showing 116–138 of 197 species
Little Gull
Hydrocoloeus minutusLC
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally spotted at reservoirs and gravel pits in April and May. The world's smallest gull, easily overlooked among flocks of Black-headed Gulls.
Apr–May
Little Owl
Athene noctuaLC
A rare resident, thinly spread across lowland farmland with old trees and barns. Declining nationally but still present in the county.
Aug–Apr
Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubiusLC
An uncommon summer breeder, favouring gravel pits and reservoir margins from March to September. Look for its distinctive yellow eye-ring.
Mar–Sep
Little Stint
Calidris minutaLC
A rare autumn passage visitor, with September records at reservoir edges. Tiny and active, often feeding busily among larger waders.
Sep
Long-eared Owl
Asio otusLC
A rare and secretive visitor, with June records suggesting possible breeding attempts. Favours dense conifer plantations and is easily overlooked.
Jun
Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatusLC
Charming acrobatic flocks roam Staffordshire's hedgerows and woodland edges year-round, often seen in noisy family parties.
Year-round
Magpie
Pica picaLC
A bold and familiar resident throughout Staffordshire, thriving in gardens, parks, farmland hedgerows and urban areas year-round.
Year-round
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
A common and widespread resident found on virtually any water body, from urban park ponds to rural reservoirs and canals.
Year-round
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Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
A rare resident found on wooded lakes and pools. Feral populations breed occasionally on quiet waterways with overhanging trees.
Year-round
Marsh Tit
Poecile palustrisLC
A rare and declining resident of mature deciduous woodland. Sedentary by nature, it favours ancient woods with plenty of natural cavities.
Oct–Aug
Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensisLC
An uncommon resident of upland moorland and rough grassland, particularly on the Staffordshire Moorlands. Numbers increase in winter.
Year-round
Merlin
Falco columbariusLC
A rare winter visitor from upland breeding grounds, occasionally hunting over open farmland and moorland edges from November to February.
Nov–Feb
Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorusLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of parkland, orchards and open woodland. Often one of the earliest songsters in late winter.
Year-round
Moorhen
Gallinula chloropusLC
A common year-round resident on ponds, canals, and waterways across the county. Often seen flicking its tail nervously as it forages along vegetated margins.
Year-round
Muscovy Duck
Cairina moschataLC
A rare feral resident, occasionally seen on park lakes and farmyard ponds. Records likely relate to domestic escapees.
May–Mar
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
A common year-round resident gracing canals, rivers, and park lakes across the county. Pairs nest on waterways throughout Staffordshire.
Year-round
Nightjar
Caprimulgus europaeusLC
A rare summer breeder arriving in May, favouring heathland and young conifer plantations in the north of the county. Best detected by its churring song at dusk.
May–Jul
Northern Goshawk
Accipiter gentilisLC
A rare passage visitor recorded in February and March, likely dispersing from Cannock Chase or nearby woodland breeding areas.
Feb–Mar
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellusNT
A common year-round resident of farmland and wet grassland. Breeding numbers are declining but winter flocks can still be impressive.
Year-round
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to reservoirs and floods, mainly from autumn through to spring. Elegant but easily missed among other dabbling ducks.
Aug–Apr
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
An uncommon resident found year-round on shallow lakes and reservoirs. Numbers increase in winter when continental birds supplement the small local population.
Year-round
Osprey
Pandion haliaetusLC
A rare but thrilling passage migrant in spring and late summer, pausing at reservoirs and large pools to fish on its way to or from Scottish breeding grounds.
Apr–Sep
Pacific Golden-Plover
Pluvialis fulvaLC
An exceptionally rare July vagrant — a major rarity anywhere in inland England. Any Staffordshire record represents a remarkable find for county birders.
Jul