Birds to See in Suffolk in June

154 species matching this filter.

All birds in Suffolk

Suffolk in June is a vibrant destination for birdwatchers, with 154 species recorded across the county's diverse habitats, from the iconic coastal marshes of Minsmere to the ancient Breckland heaths and tranquil river valleys. This is peak breeding season, offering excellent opportunities to observe species such as Barn Owl, Northern Lapwing, and Eurasian Woodcock, alongside summer visitors and resident favourites like Great Tit and Common Starling. The county's estuaries and wetlands also attract waders including Common Sandpiper and Greenshank, while the more elusive Mandarin Duck can be found along wooded waterways.

Resident

(110)
Avocet

Avocet

Recurvirostra avosettaLC

An iconic Suffolk species, breeding on coastal lagoons at Minsmere, Havergate Island, and the Alde-Ore estuary. Present year-round in good numbers.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Bar-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit

Limosa lapponicaNT

Present year-round on Suffolk's estuaries and mudflats, with numbers boosted in winter by Arctic-breeding birds.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Barn Owl

Barn Owl

Tyto albaLC

A rare but cherished resident, hunting over Suffolk's farmland, marshes and rough grassland. Often seen at dusk along quiet country lanes.

Rarely spotted

Year-round

Barnacle Goose

Barnacle Goose

Branta leucopsisLC

An uncommon year-round resident, with feral birds on some Suffolk marshes. Winter numbers may be boosted by wild arrivals from Arctic breeding grounds.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Bearded Tit

Bearded Tit

Panurus biarmicusLC

A year-round resident of Suffolk's extensive reedbeds, with Minsmere and Walberswick among its key sites.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Black-tailed Godwit

Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa limosaNT

A common resident of Suffolk's coastal marshes and estuaries. Large flocks gather at sites like the Alde-Ore estuary, especially outside the breeding season.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Blackbird

Blackbird

Turdus merulaLC

An abundant resident of gardens, woodlands and hedgerows. Continental migrants swell numbers in autumn across Suffolk's coast.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Blackcap

Blackcap

Sylvia atricapillaLC

A common resident found in woodlands, hedgerows and gardens year-round. Winter numbers are boosted by continental migrants.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Blue Tit

Blue Tit

Cyanistes caeruleusLC

One of Suffolk's most familiar garden birds, present all year. Readily visits feeders and nests in garden boxes and hedgerows.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Bullfinch

Bullfinch

Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC

An uncommon but year-round resident of Suffolk's hedgerows and woodland edges. Its soft, piping call often betrays its presence.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Buzzard

Buzzard

Buteo buteoLC

A common resident across Suffolk, frequently seen soaring over farmland, heaths, and woodland throughout the year.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Canada Goose

Canada Goose

Branta canadensisLC

A common year-round resident found on lakes, rivers, and grazing marshes across the county. Breeds readily and forms large moulting flocks in summer.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Carrion Crow

Carrion Crow

Corvus coroneLC

An abundant resident found across farmland, towns and gardens throughout the year. Often seen in noisy groups foraging in fields.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Cetti's Warbler

Cetti's Warbler

Cettia cettiLC

A resident year-round in reedbeds and dense waterside vegetation. More often heard than seen, its explosive song is unmistakable.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Chaffinch

Chaffinch

Fringilla coelebsLC

A common and familiar resident of gardens, hedgerows and woodland throughout Suffolk. Winter flocks are often boosted by continental arrivals.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

Phylloscopus collybitaLC

A common year-round resident, its repetitive song heard in woodlands, parks and gardens. Numbers boosted by continental birds in winter.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Coal Tit

Coal Tit

Periparus aterLC

A common resident of coniferous and mixed woodland, also visiting garden feeders year-round. Smaller and shyer than its tit relatives.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Common Crane

Common Crane

Grus grusLC

A rare but increasingly established resident, part of the recolonisation of East Anglia. Breeds on remote fenland and wet grassland sites.

Rarely spotted

Dec–Jul

Common Gull

Common Gull

Larus canusLC

A common resident found along Suffolk's coast, farmland and towns year-round, often mixing with other gull species.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Common Kingfisher

Common Kingfisher

Alcedo atthisLC

A year-round resident along Suffolk's rivers, streams, and coastal ditches. A flash of electric blue along waterways.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Common Pheasant

Common Pheasant

Phasianus colchicusLC

An abundant year-round resident of farmland, woodland edges, and hedgerows. Widely released for shooting, making it one of Suffolk's most visible birds.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Common Raven

Common Raven

Corvus coraxLC

A rare but increasing resident in Suffolk, gradually recolonising the county after a long absence. Deep croaking call is distinctive.

Rarely spotted

Year-round

Common Scoter

Common Scoter

Melanitta nigraLC

An uncommon sea duck present year-round offshore, with numbers peaking in winter. Best spotted from coastal vantage points during calm-sea seawatches.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Common Shelduck

Common Shelduck

Tadorna tadornaLC

A common and conspicuous resident of Suffolk's estuaries and coastal marshes, easily recognised by its bold chestnut, black and white plumage.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Common Snipe

Common Snipe

Gallinago gallinagoLC

An uncommon resident of Suffolk's wet grasslands and marshes, with numbers swelling in winter as continental birds arrive.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Common Starling

Common Starling

Sturnus vulgarisLC

A common resident forming spectacular winter murmurations, notably along the Suffolk coast. Breeds in towns and rural buildings alike.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Coot

Coot

Fulica atraLC

A common resident on Suffolk's lakes, reservoirs, and marshes, often forming large flocks in winter at sites like Minsmere.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Curlew

Curlew

Numenius arquataNT

Present year-round on Suffolk's estuaries and marshes, with winter flocks swelled by continental birds at sites like the Deben.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Dartford Warbler

Dartford Warbler

Curruca undataNT

An uncommon resident of Suffolk's lowland heaths, favouring dense gorse. Vulnerable to harsh winters but slowly increasing in range.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Dunlin

Dunlin

Calidris alpinaLC

A common sight on Suffolk's estuarine mudflats year-round, forming large winter flocks at key sites like the Stour and Orwell.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Dunnock

Dunnock

Prunella modularisLC

A common but unobtrusive resident of hedgerows and garden shrubbery. Its thin, warbling song is heard year-round across Suffolk.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Egyptian Goose

Egyptian Goose

Alopochen aegyptiacaLC

An established year-round resident, increasingly common around lakes and parkland. Part of East Anglia's growing feral population, breeding in tree holes.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Bittern

Eurasian Bittern

Botaurus stellarisLC

A flagship resident of Suffolk's reedbeds, with Minsmere a key stronghold. Best detected by its distinctive booming call in spring.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Collared Dove

Eurasian Collared Dove

Streptopelia decaoctoLC

A common resident in towns, villages, and farmyards throughout Suffolk. Its monotonous three-note call is a familiar sound year-round.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Jay

Eurasian Jay

Garrulus glandariusLC

A common resident of broadleaved woodland, parks and mature gardens. Its harsh screeching call often betrays its presence.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Nuthatch

Eurasian Nuthatch

Sitta europaeaLC

An uncommon but increasing resident of mature deciduous woodland and parkland. Listen for its loud ringing call throughout the year.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Haematopus ostralegusNT

A familiar resident of Suffolk's shingle beaches and estuaries, its piping calls a constant feature of the coast.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Siskin

Eurasian Siskin

Spinus spinusLC

An uncommon resident favouring alder and birch stands. Winter flocks are boosted by Continental birds visiting garden feeders.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Skylark

Eurasian Skylark

Alauda arvensisLC

Common across Suffolk's arable fields and coastal grasslands, delivering its hovering song flight from spring through summer.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Wigeon

Eurasian Wigeon

Mareca penelopeLC

Common on Suffolk's coastal marshes and estuaries, with large winter flocks grazing at sites like the Alde-Ore estuary.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Wren

Eurasian Wren

Troglodytes troglodytesLC

One of Suffolk's most abundant residents, found in virtually every habitat with dense cover. Its powerful song belies its tiny size.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

European Goldfinch

European Goldfinch

Carduelis carduelisLC

A common and colourful resident, often seen in lively flocks feeding on teasel and thistle heads across Suffolk's farmland edges.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

European Green Woodpecker

European Green Woodpecker

Picus viridisLC

A common resident of parkland, orchards and woodland edges. Its loud, laughing call is a familiar sound across Suffolk's countryside.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

European Herring Gull

European Herring Gull

Larus argentatusLC

A common resident found along Suffolk's coast, harbours, and towns year-round, though nationally in significant decline.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

European Robin

European Robin

Erithacus rubeculaLC

A common and much-loved resident of gardens, woodlands and hedgerows throughout Suffolk. Sings almost year-round across the county.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Firecrest

Firecrest

Regulus ignicapillaLC

A rare but increasing resident, found in conifer stands and mixed woodland. Coastal sites attract passage birds in autumn and spring.

Rarely spotted

Sep–Jun

Gadwall

Gadwall

Mareca streperaLC

A common resident found year-round on freshwater lakes and marshes. Suffolk's wetland reserves such as Lackford Lakes hold good numbers.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Goldcrest

Goldcrest

Regulus regulusLC

Britain's smallest bird, resident in coniferous and mixed woodland year-round. Numbers swell in autumn with continental migrants on the coast.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Great Black-backed Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Larus marinusLC

A common resident found year-round along the coast, estuaries and at landfill sites. The largest British gull species.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Great Cormorant

Great Cormorant

Phalacrocorax carboLC

Common year-round along Suffolk's rivers, estuaries and coast. Often seen perched with wings outstretched on posts and jetties.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Great Crested Grebe

Great Crested Grebe

Podiceps cristatusLC

An uncommon resident of larger lakes and reservoirs, performing its elaborate head-shaking courtship display from late winter onwards.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Dendrocopos majorLC

A common resident of Suffolk's woodlands and mature gardens, often heard drumming on trees from late winter onwards.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Great Tit

Great Tit

Parus majorLC

A bold and familiar garden visitor year-round, easily recognised by its striking black head stripe and loud "teacher-teacher" song.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Great White Egret

Great White Egret

Ardea albaLC

An uncommon but increasingly regular resident, seen at marshes and wetlands across Suffolk. Numbers have grown markedly in recent years.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Green Sandpiper

Green Sandpiper

Tringa ochropusLC

An uncommon but regular wader found along freshwater ditches, marshes and watercress beds across Suffolk, most often seen singly bobbing along muddy stream edges.

Uncommonly spotted

Jun–Apr

Greenfinch

Greenfinch

Chloris chlorisLC

A common garden and farmland resident, though numbers have declined due to disease. Feeds readily at bird tables year-round.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Grey Heron

Grey Heron

Ardea cinereaLC

A common resident found year-round along rivers, marshes and lakes. Often seen standing motionless at the water's edge.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Grey Partridge

Grey Partridge

Perdix perdixLC

A declining resident of Suffolk's arable farmland and field margins, now rarely encountered despite historically being widespread.

Rarely spotted

Nov–Sep

Grey Plover

Grey Plover

Pluvialis squatarolaLC

Found year-round on Suffolk's estuarine mudflats and shingle shores, with numbers peaking in winter at sites like the Deben.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Grey Wagtail

Grey Wagtail

Motacilla cinereaLC

An uncommon resident found along streams, rivers and watercress beds. Less numerous than in western England but present year-round.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Greylag Goose

Greylag Goose

Anser anserLC

A common resident breeding on Suffolk's marshes and grazing fields, with feral and wild populations well established.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

House Sparrow

House Sparrow

Passer domesticusLC

A common year-round resident closely tied to human habitation across Suffolk's towns and villages. Numbers have declined but remain widespread.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Jackdaw

Jackdaw

Corvus monedulaLC

A common year-round resident, often seen in noisy flocks around church towers, farmland and village rooftops across Suffolk.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Kestrel

Kestrel

Falco tinnunculusLC

A familiar year-round resident, often seen hovering over farmland, road verges and coastal marshes throughout the county.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Kittiwake

Kittiwake

Rissa tridactylaVU

An uncommon year-round presence off Suffolk's coast, sometimes driven inshore by storms. Numbers are declining nationally.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscusLC

Common year-round, frequenting Suffolk's coast, landfill sites and farmland. Breeding numbers peak in summer with passage birds augmenting.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Linnet

Linnet

Linaria cannabinaLC

A common resident favouring farmland hedgerows, heathland and coastal scrub. Often forms sizeable flocks on stubble fields in winter.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Little Egret

Little Egret

Egretta garzettaLC

Now a common resident after colonising in the 1990s. Found year-round along estuaries, marshes and inland waterways across Suffolk.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Little Grebe

Little Grebe

Tachybaptus ruficollisLC

An uncommon but year-round resident of sheltered ponds, lakes and slow rivers. Its whinnying trill is often heard before the bird is seen.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Little Owl

Little Owl

Athene noctuaLC

A scarce resident of Suffolk's farmland, favouring old barns and hedgerow trees. An introduced species now in slow decline.

Rarely spotted

Mar–Jan

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Aegithalos caudatusLC

A charming resident seen year-round in hedgerows and woodland edges. Family parties move through in acrobatic, chattering flocks.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Magpie

Magpie

Pica picaLC

A common and conspicuous resident found in gardens, hedgerows, and farmland across Suffolk year-round.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Mallard

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchosLC

Suffolk's most widespread duck, found year-round on virtually any body of water from village ponds to coastal marshes.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Mandarin Duck

Mandarin Duck

Aix galericulataLC

A rare but established resident, found on wooded lakes and rivers. Suffolk's small population originates from escaped birds now breeding in the wild.

Rarely spotted

Year-round

Marsh Tit

Marsh Tit

Poecile palustrisLC

An uncommon resident of mature deciduous woodland, declining in Suffolk. Listen for its distinctive "pitchoo" call in ancient copses.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Meadow Pipit

Meadow Pipit

Anthus pratensisLC

A common resident found year-round on heathlands, coastal marshes and rough grassland. Numbers swell in autumn with continental migrants.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Mistle Thrush

Mistle Thrush

Turdus viscivorusLC

An uncommon resident of parkland and tall trees. Often one of the earliest singers in Suffolk, heard from January onwards.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Moorhen

Moorhen

Gallinula chloropusLC

A common resident found on ponds, ditches and rivers throughout Suffolk, often seen flicking its tail nervously.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Mute Swan

Mute Swan

Cygnus olorLC

A familiar year-round presence on Suffolk's rivers, broads, and coastal marshes. Breeds widely and is easily seen at sites like Minsmere and Lackford.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Northern Gannet

Northern Gannet

Morus bassanusLC

Present year-round off the Suffolk coast but rarely in large numbers. Often spotted from headlands during seawatches.

Rarely spotted

Year-round

Northern Lapwing

Northern Lapwing

Vanellus vanellusNT

A common year-round resident of farmland and wet grassland. Winter flocks can be impressive, though breeding numbers have declined significantly.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Northern Pintail

Northern Pintail

Anas acutaLC

An elegant but uncommon duck present year-round, favouring Suffolk's estuaries and flooded marshes in winter.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Northern Shoveler

Northern Shoveler

Spatula clypeataLC

A common resident of Suffolk's shallow wetlands, easily identified by its large spatulate bill as it sweeps through water.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinusLC

A rare but year-round resident, increasingly seen around Suffolk's churches, pylons, and coastal cliffs.

Rarely spotted

Year-round

Pochard

Pochard

Aythya ferinaVU

An uncommon year-round resident on lakes and gravel pits, though nationally declining. Winter numbers are bolstered by continental arrivals.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Red Kite

Red Kite

Milvus milvusLC

An increasingly established resident, now regularly seen soaring over Suffolk's farmland and woodland edges year-round.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Red Knot

Red Knot

Calidris canutusNT

Uncommon on Suffolk's coast, small flocks gather on estuarine mudflats, particularly at the Deben and Stour. Numbers peak in winter and during passage periods.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Red-legged Partridge

Red-legged Partridge

Alectoris rufaNT

An uncommon resident of arable farmland and field margins. Often seen in small coveys along sandy tracks and open fields across the county.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Redshank

Redshank

Tringa totanusLC

A common year-round resident of Suffolk's coastal marshes and estuaries, its loud piping calls are a familiar sound at sites like the Alde-Ore and Deben estuaries.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Reed Bunting

Reed Bunting

Emberiza schoeniclusLC

A common resident of reedbeds, ditches and damp farmland across Suffolk. Readily visits garden feeders in cold winter weather.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Ringed Plover

Ringed Plover

Charadrius hiaticulaLC

An uncommon resident nesting on Suffolk's shingle beaches, with numbers boosted by passage migrants in spring and autumn.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Rock Dove

Rock Dove

Columba liviaLC

Present year-round in Suffolk's towns and along coastal cliffs, though most birds are feral descendants rather than truly wild stock.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Rook

Rook

Corvus frugilegusLC

A common resident of Suffolk's arable farmland, nesting colonially in tall trees. Noisy rookeries are a familiar sight.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Ruddy Turnstone

Ruddy Turnstone

Arenaria interpresLC

Present year-round along Suffolk's rocky groynes and shingle beaches, busily flipping stones for invertebrates.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Ruff

Ruff

Philomachus pugnaxLC

An uncommon wader found year-round on Suffolk's coastal marshes, with numbers peaking during autumn passage.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Sanderling

Sanderling

Calidris albaLC

A scarce visitor to Suffolk's sandy beaches, most often seen running along the tideline at sites like Minsmere.

Rarely spotted

Year-round

Song Thrush

Song Thrush

Turdus philomelosLC

A common resident found in gardens, hedgerows and woodlands year-round. Often heard smashing snail shells on a favourite stone anvil.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Sparrowhawk

Sparrowhawk

Accipiter nisusLC

A year-round resident found in woodland, farmland, and gardens across Suffolk. Often seen dashing along hedgerows.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Spotted Redshank

Spotted Redshank

Tringa erythropusLC

An uncommon but year-round presence on Suffolk's estuaries, often seen feeding on mudflats at sites like the Alde-Ore.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Stock Dove

Stock Dove

Columba oenasLC

A common year-round resident nesting in tree holes across farmland and parkland. Often overlooked but regularly seen in flight over Suffolk's fields.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Stonechat

Stonechat

Saxicola torquatusLC

A common resident favouring Suffolk's coastal heathland and gorse-covered commons. Often perches prominently, flicking its tail.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Tawny Owl

Tawny Owl

Strix alucoLC

A rare and secretive resident of mature woodland, best detected by its familiar hooting call on still winter nights across Suffolk's forests.

Rarely spotted

Year-round

Treecreeper

Treecreeper

Certhia familiarisLC

An uncommon but year-round resident of mature woodland, spiralling up tree trunks in search of insects. Easily overlooked but widespread.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Tufted Duck

Tufted Duck

Aythya fuligulaLC

An uncommon but widespread resident on freshwater lakes and gravel pits across the county. Numbers increase in winter with birds from the continent.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Water Rail

Water Rail

Rallus aquaticusLC

A secretive resident of Suffolk's reedbeds and marshes, more often heard giving its pig-like squeal than seen.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Western Marsh-harrier

Western Marsh-harrier

Circus aeruginosusLC

A common resident of Suffolk's extensive reedbeds and coastal marshes. Minsmere and the Broads are key strongholds for this species.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Woodlark

Woodlark

Lullula arboreaLC

An uncommon resident of Suffolk's Breckland and Sandlings heaths. Its melodious song can be heard from early spring over open sandy ground.

Uncommonly spotted

Jan–Nov

Woodpigeon

Woodpigeon

Columba palumbusLC

An abundant resident found in woodlands, farmland and gardens throughout Suffolk. Large autumn flocks gather on arable fields.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Yellow-legged Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Larus michahellisLC

A rare but regular visitor to Suffolk's coast and estuaries, present most months. Look for bright yellow legs and darker grey mantle than Herring Gull.

Rarely spotted

Jun–Apr

Yellowhammer

Yellowhammer

Emberiza citrinellaLC

An uncommon but year-round resident of Suffolk's arable farmland and hedgerows. Its bright yellow head and jangling song are distinctive.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Breeding

(38)
Arctic Tern

Arctic Tern

Sterna paradisaeaLC

A rare breeder in Suffolk, present from May to October at coastal shingle sites. Easily confused with Common Tern.

Rarely spotted

May–Oct

Barn Swallow

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rusticaLC

A common summer breeder arriving in March and lingering into November. Nests in farm buildings and forages over fields and waterways.

Commonly spotted

Mar–Nov

Black Redstart

Black Redstart

Phoenicurus ochrurosLC

A rare breeder in Suffolk, favouring industrial buildings and coastal structures. Present March to November, with occasional wintering birds.

Rarely spotted

Mar–Nov

Common Redstart

Common Redstart

Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC

A rare breeding visitor to Suffolk's mature woodlands, present from April to October. The male's fiery orange tail is unmistakable.

Rarely spotted

Apr–Oct

Common Reed-warbler

Common Reed-warbler

Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC

A common summer visitor breeding in extensive reedbeds across Suffolk's river valleys and coastal marshes from April to October.

Commonly spotted

Apr–Oct

Common Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucosLC

An uncommon passage and breeding visitor, bobbing along Suffolk's river edges and reservoir margins from spring to autumn.

Uncommonly spotted

Feb–Oct

Common Swift

Common Swift

Apus apusLC

Screaming parties wheel over Suffolk towns and villages from late April, nesting under eaves before departing by September.

Commonly spotted

Apr–Sep

Common Tern

Common Tern

Sterna hirundoLC

A common summer breeder at coastal colonies and inland gravel pits, arriving in April. Minsmere and the Alde-Ore estuary host key sites.

Commonly spotted

Apr–Oct

Corn Bunting

Corn Bunting

Emberiza calandraLC

A rare and declining breeding species on Suffolk's arable farmland from May to July. One of the county's most threatened birds.

Rarely spotted

May–Jul

Cuckoo

Cuckoo

Cuculus canorusLC

A declining summer visitor whose distinctive call echoes across Suffolk's reedbeds and heathlands from April to September.

Uncommonly spotted

Apr–Sep

Eurasian Spoonbill

Eurasian Spoonbill

Platalea leucorodiaLC

An uncommon breeder, now nesting at key Suffolk wetlands. A conservation success story, with numbers steadily increasing in the region.

Uncommonly spotted

Feb–Oct

Eurasian Stone-curlew

Eurasian Stone-curlew

Burhinus oedicnemusLC

A scarce breeding visitor to the Brecks heathland, arriving in spring. Suffolk is a key stronghold for this declining species.

Uncommonly spotted

Mar–Oct

European Turtle-dove

European Turtle-dove

Streptopelia turturVU

A declining summer visitor breeding in Suffolk's hedgerows and farmland from April to September. One of the county's most threatened species.

Uncommonly spotted

Apr–Sep

Fulmar

Fulmar

Fulmarus glacialisLC

A rare breeder on Suffolk's coastal cliffs, present from spring into early autumn. Small numbers nest at scattered sites along the coast.

Rarely spotted

Apr–Sep

Garden Warbler

Garden Warbler

Sylvia borinLC

An uncommon summer breeder found in dense woodland undergrowth. Its rich warbling song is easier to detect than the bird itself.

Uncommonly spotted

Apr–Sep

Garganey

Garganey

Spatula querquedulaLC

A rare summer breeder on Suffolk's wetlands, arriving in spring and departing by September. Minsmere and the Waveney valley are favoured sites.

Rarely spotted

Mar–Sep

Grasshopper Warbler

Grasshopper Warbler

Locustella naeviaLC

A rare breeding visitor from April to July, skulking in dense scrub on heathland and marshes. Best detected by its insect-like reeling song.

Rarely spotted

Apr–Jul

Greenshank

Greenshank

Tringa nebulariaLC

An uncommon passage and breeding-season visitor, most often seen on Suffolk's estuarine mudflats from late summer into autumn, with a distinctive ringing call.

Uncommonly spotted

Mar–Nov

Hobby

Hobby

Falco subbuteoLC

An uncommon summer breeder, hunting dragonflies over heathland and wetlands. Often seen hawking insects over Suffolk's reedbeds.

Uncommonly spotted

Apr–Oct

House Martin

House Martin

Delichon urbicumLC

A common summer breeder arriving in April, nesting under eaves in Suffolk's towns and villages. Numbers have declined in recent decades.

Commonly spotted

Apr–Oct

Lesser Whitethroat

Lesser Whitethroat

Curruca currucaLC

An uncommon summer breeder favouring tall hedgerows and scrubby thickets, arriving in April and departing by October.

Uncommonly spotted

Apr–Oct

Little Gull

Little Gull

Hydrocoloeus minutusLC

An uncommon visitor to Suffolk's coast, most frequently seen at coastal lagoons and offshore from spring through autumn, with its buoyant, tern-like flight.

Uncommonly spotted

Apr–Nov

Little Ringed Plover

Little Ringed Plover

Charadrius dubiusLC

An uncommon summer breeder favouring gravel pits and reservoir margins in Suffolk, arriving from March and departing by September.

Uncommonly spotted

Mar–Sep

Little Stint

Little Stint

Calidris minutaLC

A rare visitor to Suffolk's coastal scrapes and pools, mainly seen on passage from late summer into autumn.

Rarely spotted

May–Oct

Little Tern

Little Tern

Sternula albifronsLC

An uncommon summer breeder nesting on Suffolk's shingle beaches from April to August. Colonies at sites like Minsmere receive active protection.

Uncommonly spotted

Apr–Aug

Nightingale

Nightingale

Luscinia megarhynchosLC

Suffolk remains a stronghold for this declining summer breeder. Arrives in April and sings from dense scrub and coppiced woodland.

Uncommonly spotted

Apr–Jun

Nightjar

Nightjar

Caprimulgus europaeusLC

A rare summer breeder on Suffolk's heathlands, arriving in May. Best detected by its distinctive churring song at dusk.

Rarely spotted

May–Aug

Sand Martin

Sand Martin

Riparia ripariaLC

A common summer breeder, arriving from March and nesting colonially in sandy riverbanks and coastal cliffs across Suffolk.

Commonly spotted

Mar–Oct

Sandwich Tern

Sandwich Tern

Thalasseus sandvicensisLC

Breeds at key Suffolk coastal colonies from April to October. Often seen plunge-diving offshore at sites like Minsmere.

Uncommonly spotted

Apr–Oct

Sedge Warbler

Sedge Warbler

Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC

A common summer breeder in reedbeds and waterside scrub from April to September. Its chattering song fills Suffolk's wetlands.

Commonly spotted

Apr–Sep

Spotted Flycatcher

Spotted Flycatcher

Muscicapa striataLC

A rare and declining summer breeder arriving in May. Hunts insects from exposed perches in churchyards and woodland clearings.

Rarely spotted

May–Sep

Tree Pipit

Tree Pipit

Anthus trivialisLC

A rare summer breeder in Suffolk's heathland and open woodland clearings. Delivers its song in a distinctive parachuting display flight.

Rarely spotted

Apr–Sep

Wheatear

Wheatear

Oenanthe oenantheLC

An uncommon breeder found on Suffolk's coastal shingle and open grassland from March to October. Often bobs and flits low to the ground.

Uncommonly spotted

Mar–Oct

Whimbrel

Whimbrel

Numenius phaeopusLC

An uncommon summer visitor, passing through coastal marshes and estuaries from April to September. Its distinctive rippling call carries across mudflats.

Uncommonly spotted

Apr–Sep

Whitethroat

Whitethroat

Curruca communisLC

A common summer visitor breeding in hedgerows, scrub and field margins. Its scratchy song is a familiar sound across Suffolk farmland.

Commonly spotted

Apr–Sep

Willow Warbler

Willow Warbler

Phylloscopus trochilusLC

An uncommon breeding summer visitor, favouring scrubby woodland edges and heathland. Has declined notably in lowland Suffolk.

Uncommonly spotted

Apr–Oct

Wood Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper

Tringa glareolaLC

A rare breeder and passage migrant, found at Suffolk's freshwater marshes and scrapes from April to September.

Rarely spotted

Apr–Sep

Yellow Wagtail

Yellow Wagtail

Motacilla flavaLC

An uncommon summer breeder on Suffolk's damp meadows and arable fields from April to September. Numbers have declined significantly in recent decades.

Uncommonly spotted

Apr–Sep

Non-breeding

(1)

Passage

(5)

Frequently Asked Questions