Birds to See in Suffolk in October
158 species matching this filter.
Suffolk in October is a rewarding destination for birdwatchers, with around 158 species recorded across the county's diverse habitats, from the coastal marshes of Minsmere and the Alde-Ore estuary to ancient woodlands and open farmland. Autumn migration brings a wealth of waders such as Greenshank and Common Sandpiper to the estuaries, while resident favourites like Barn Owl, Great Tit, and Common Starling remain active across the landscape. The county's reedbeds may still hold lingering Common Reed-warblers, and with luck, scarcer visitors such as Horned Lark can appear along the shingle coastline.
New in October14
Leaving after last month24
- Black Tern
- Common Swift
- Cuckoo
- European Pied Flycatcher
- European Turtle-dove
- Fulmar
- Garden Warbler
- Garganey
- Grey Partridge
- Little Ringed Plover
- Long-tailed Jaeger
- Manx Shearwater
- Pectoral Sandpiper
- Purple Heron
- Red-backed Shrike
- Red-necked Phalarope
- Sedge Warbler
- Spotted Flycatcher
- Tree Pipit
- Whimbrel
- Whitethroat
- Wood Sandpiper
- Wryneck
- Yellow Wagtail
Resident
(116)
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.
Year-round
Bar-tailed Godwit
Limosa lapponicaNT
Present year-round on Suffolk's estuaries and mudflats, with numbers boosted in winter by Arctic-breeding birds.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
Bearded Tit
Panurus biarmicusLC
A year-round resident of Suffolk's extensive reedbeds, with Minsmere and Walberswick among its key sites.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
An abundant resident of gardens, woodlands and hedgerows. Continental migrants swell numbers in autumn across Suffolk's coast.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
A common resident found in woodlands, hedgerows and gardens year-round. Winter numbers are boosted by continental migrants.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
Brent Goose
Branta berniclaLC
Winters on Suffolk's estuaries and coastal marshes, with dark-bellied birds favouring sites like the Deben and Alde. Absent during midsummer.
Aug–May
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of Suffolk's hedgerows and woodland edges. Its soft, piping call often betrays its presence.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
A common resident across Suffolk, frequently seen soaring over farmland, heaths, and woodland throughout the year.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
An abundant resident found across farmland, towns and gardens throughout the year. Often seen in noisy groups foraging in fields.
Year-round
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibisLC
A rare but increasingly recorded resident, often seen with livestock in grazing marshes. Part of a recent northward range expansion.
Jul–Apr
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.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common and familiar resident of gardens, hedgerows and woodland throughout Suffolk. Winter flocks are often boosted by continental arrivals.
Year-round
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
A common year-round resident, its repetitive song heard in woodlands, parks and gardens. Numbers boosted by continental birds in winter.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
A common resident found along Suffolk's coast, farmland and towns year-round, often mixing with other gull species.
Year-round
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
A year-round resident along Suffolk's rivers, streams, and coastal ditches. A flash of electric blue along waterways.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
A rare but increasing resident in Suffolk, gradually recolonising the county after a long absence. Deep croaking call is distinctive.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
An uncommon resident of birch and alder woodland. Numbers fluctuate with winter influxes from the Continent boosting local birds.
Sep–May
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.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
An uncommon resident of Suffolk's wet grasslands and marshes, with numbers swelling in winter as continental birds arrive.
Year-round
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
A common resident forming spectacular winter murmurations, notably along the Suffolk coast. Breeds in towns and rural buildings alike.
Year-round
Coot
Fulica atraLC
A common resident on Suffolk's lakes, reservoirs, and marshes, often forming large flocks in winter at sites like Minsmere.
Year-round
Curlew
Numenius arquataNT
Present year-round on Suffolk's estuaries and marshes, with winter flocks swelled by continental birds at sites like the Deben.
Year-round
Curlew Sandpiper
Calidris ferrugineaNT
A rare but eagerly sought passage wader, most likely at coastal scrapes and lagoons from July to October, often mixing with Dunlin flocks.
May–Oct
Dartford Warbler
Curruca undataNT
An uncommon resident of Suffolk's lowland heaths, favouring dense gorse. Vulnerable to harsh winters but slowly increasing in range.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
Dunnock
Prunella modularisLC
A common but unobtrusive resident of hedgerows and garden shrubbery. Its thin, warbling song is heard year-round across Suffolk.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
Eider
Somateria mollissimaNT
A rare visitor to Suffolk's offshore waters, most likely seen from autumn into winter. Small numbers occasionally linger along the coast.
Sep–Apr
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.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
A common resident of broadleaved woodland, parks and mature gardens. Its harsh screeching call often betrays its presence.
Year-round
Eurasian Nuthatch
Sitta europaeaLC
An uncommon but increasing resident of mature deciduous woodland and parkland. Listen for its loud ringing call throughout the year.
Year-round
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegusNT
A familiar resident of Suffolk's shingle beaches and estuaries, its piping calls a constant feature of the coast.
Year-round
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
An uncommon resident favouring alder and birch stands. Winter flocks are boosted by Continental birds visiting garden feeders.
Year-round
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
Common across Suffolk's arable fields and coastal grasslands, delivering its hovering song flight from spring through summer.
Year-round
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
Common on Suffolk's coastal marshes and estuaries, with large winter flocks grazing at sites like the Alde-Ore estuary.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
A common resident found along Suffolk's coast, harbours, and towns year-round, though nationally in significant decline.
Year-round
European Robin
Erithacus rubeculaLC
A common and much-loved resident of gardens, woodlands and hedgerows throughout Suffolk. Sings almost year-round across the county.
Year-round
Firecrest
Regulus ignicapillaLC
A rare but increasing resident, found in conifer stands and mixed woodland. Coastal sites attract passage birds in autumn and spring.
Sep–Jun
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.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
Golden Plover
Pluvialis apricariaLC
An uncommon visitor to ploughed fields and coastal marshes, mainly outside summer. Large winter flocks sometimes gather on arable land inland.
Jul–Apr
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.
Year-round
Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carboLC
Common year-round along Suffolk's rivers, estuaries and coast. Often seen perched with wings outstretched on posts and jetties.
Year-round
Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatusLC
An uncommon resident of larger lakes and reservoirs, performing its elaborate head-shaking courtship display from late winter onwards.
Year-round
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos majorLC
A common resident of Suffolk's woodlands and mature gardens, often heard drumming on trees from late winter onwards.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
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.
Jun–Apr
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
A common garden and farmland resident, though numbers have declined due to disease. Feeds readily at bird tables year-round.
Year-round
Grey Heron
Ardea cinereaLC
A common resident found year-round along rivers, marshes and lakes. Often seen standing motionless at the water's edge.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinereaLC
An uncommon resident found along streams, rivers and watercress beds. Less numerous than in western England but present year-round.
Year-round
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
A common resident breeding on Suffolk's marshes and grazing fields, with feral and wild populations well established.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
Jackdaw
Corvus monedulaLC
A common year-round resident, often seen in noisy flocks around church towers, farmland and village rooftops across Suffolk.
Year-round
Kestrel
Falco tinnunculusLC
A familiar year-round resident, often seen hovering over farmland, road verges and coastal marshes throughout the county.
Year-round
Kittiwake
Rissa tridactylaVU
An uncommon year-round presence off Suffolk's coast, sometimes driven inshore by storms. Numbers are declining nationally.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
A common resident favouring farmland hedgerows, heathland and coastal scrub. Often forms sizeable flocks on stubble fields in winter.
Year-round
Little Egret
Egretta garzettaLC
Now a common resident after colonising in the 1990s. Found year-round along estuaries, marshes and inland waterways across Suffolk.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
Little Owl
Athene noctuaLC
A scarce resident of Suffolk's farmland, favouring old barns and hedgerow trees. An introduced species now in slow decline.
Mar–Jan
Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatusLC
A charming resident seen year-round in hedgerows and woodland edges. Family parties move through in acrobatic, chattering flocks.
Year-round
Magpie
Pica picaLC
A common and conspicuous resident found in gardens, hedgerows, and farmland across Suffolk year-round.
Year-round
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
Suffolk's most widespread duck, found year-round on virtually any body of water from village ponds to coastal marshes.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
Marsh Tit
Poecile palustrisLC
An uncommon resident of mature deciduous woodland, declining in Suffolk. Listen for its distinctive "pitchoo" call in ancient copses.
Year-round
Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensisLC
A common resident found year-round on heathlands, coastal marshes and rough grassland. Numbers swell in autumn with continental migrants.
Year-round
Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorusLC
An uncommon resident of parkland and tall trees. Often one of the earliest singers in Suffolk, heard from January onwards.
Year-round
Moorhen
Gallinula chloropusLC
A common resident found on ponds, ditches and rivers throughout Suffolk, often seen flicking its tail nervously.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
Northern Gannet
Morus bassanusLC
Present year-round off the Suffolk coast but rarely in large numbers. Often spotted from headlands during seawatches.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
An elegant but uncommon duck present year-round, favouring Suffolk's estuaries and flooded marshes in winter.
Year-round
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
A common resident of Suffolk's shallow wetlands, easily identified by its large spatulate bill as it sweeps through water.
Year-round
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinusLC
A rare but year-round resident, increasingly seen around Suffolk's churches, pylons, and coastal cliffs.
Year-round
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
An uncommon year-round resident on lakes and gravel pits, though nationally declining. Winter numbers are bolstered by continental arrivals.
Year-round
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare resident of Suffolk's conifer plantations, notably Thetford Forest fringes. Numbers fluctuate with periodic irruptions from the continent.
Jul–May
Red Kite
Milvus milvusLC
An increasingly established resident, now regularly seen soaring over Suffolk's farmland and woodland edges year-round.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclusLC
A common resident of reedbeds, ditches and damp farmland across Suffolk. Readily visits garden feeders in cold winter weather.
Year-round
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
An uncommon resident nesting on Suffolk's shingle beaches, with numbers boosted by passage migrants in spring and autumn.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
A common resident of Suffolk's arable farmland, nesting colonially in tall trees. Noisy rookeries are a familiar sight.
Year-round
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpresLC
Present year-round along Suffolk's rocky groynes and shingle beaches, busily flipping stones for invertebrates.
Year-round
Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
An uncommon wader found year-round on Suffolk's coastal marshes, with numbers peaking during autumn passage.
Year-round
Sanderling
Calidris albaLC
A scarce visitor to Suffolk's sandy beaches, most often seen running along the tideline at sites like Minsmere.
Year-round
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeusLC
A scarce resident of Suffolk's coastal marshes and heathlands, most visible hunting low over open ground in winter.
Sep–May
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.
Year-round
Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLC
A year-round resident found in woodland, farmland, and gardens across Suffolk. Often seen dashing along hedgerows.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
Stonechat
Saxicola torquatusLC
A common resident favouring Suffolk's coastal heathland and gorse-covered commons. Often perches prominently, flicking its tail.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
Treecreeper
Certhia familiarisLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of mature woodland, spiralling up tree trunks in search of insects. Easily overlooked but widespread.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
Water Rail
Rallus aquaticusLC
A secretive resident of Suffolk's reedbeds and marshes, more often heard giving its pig-like squeal than seen.
Year-round
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.
Year-round
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.
Jan–Nov
Woodpigeon
Columba palumbusLC
An abundant resident found in woodlands, farmland and gardens throughout Suffolk. Large autumn flocks gather on arable fields.
Year-round
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.
Jun–Apr
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.
Year-round
Breeding
(19)
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
A rare breeder in Suffolk, present from May to October at coastal shingle sites. Easily confused with Common Tern.
May–Oct
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.
Mar–Nov
Black Redstart
Phoenicurus ochrurosLC
A rare breeder in Suffolk, favouring industrial buildings and coastal structures. Present March to November, with occasional wintering birds.
Mar–Nov
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.
Apr–Oct
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.
Apr–Oct
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
An uncommon passage and breeding visitor, bobbing along Suffolk's river edges and reservoir margins from spring to autumn.
Feb–Oct
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.
Apr–Oct
Eurasian Spoonbill
Platalea leucorodiaLC
An uncommon breeder, now nesting at key Suffolk wetlands. A conservation success story, with numbers steadily increasing in the region.
Feb–Oct
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.
Mar–Oct
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.
Mar–Nov
Hobby
Falco subbuteoLC
An uncommon summer breeder, hunting dragonflies over heathland and wetlands. Often seen hawking insects over Suffolk's reedbeds.
Apr–Oct
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.
Apr–Oct
Lesser Whitethroat
Curruca currucaLC
An uncommon summer breeder favouring tall hedgerows and scrubby thickets, arriving in April and departing by October.
Apr–Oct
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.
Apr–Nov
Little Stint
Calidris minutaLC
A rare visitor to Suffolk's coastal scrapes and pools, mainly seen on passage from late summer into autumn.
May–Oct
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
A common summer breeder, arriving from March and nesting colonially in sandy riverbanks and coastal cliffs across Suffolk.
Mar–Oct
Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensisLC
Breeds at key Suffolk coastal colonies from April to October. Often seen plunge-diving offshore at sites like Minsmere.
Apr–Oct
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.
Mar–Oct
Willow Warbler
Phylloscopus trochilusLC
An uncommon breeding summer visitor, favouring scrubby woodland edges and heathland. Has declined notably in lowland Suffolk.
Apr–Oct
Non-breeding
(14)
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A rare winter visitor from Scandinavia, sometimes joining chaffinch flocks at farmland feeding stations and beech woodland edges.
Oct–Apr
Fieldfare
Turdus pilarisLC
An uncommon winter visitor arriving from Scandinavia, often seen in roving flocks feeding on hedgerow berries across Suffolk's farmland.
Oct–Apr
Goldeneye
Bucephala clangulaLC
An uncommon winter visitor to Suffolk's reservoirs and estuaries, diving for fish and invertebrates from October to April.
Oct–Apr
Hen Harrier
Circus cyaneusLC
A rare winter visitor to Suffolk's coastal marshes and heathlands, present from October to April.
Oct–Apr
Horned Lark
Eremophila alpestrisLC
A rare winter visitor to the Suffolk coast, favouring shingle beaches and saltmarshes. Most likely in October to January.
Oct–Jan
Jack Snipe
Lymnocryptes minimusLC
A secretive winter visitor to Suffolk's wet marshes and boggy margins, rarely flushed and easily overlooked from October to April.
Oct–Apr
Purple Sandpiper
Calidris maritimaLC
A rare winter visitor to Suffolk's rocky coastal structures such as groynes and harbour walls, as the county lacks the natural rocky shoreline this species prefers.
Sep–Mar
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serratorLC
A rare winter visitor found along Suffolk's estuaries and coastal waters, present from October through to March.
Oct–Mar
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellataLC
A non-breeding visitor to Suffolk's coastal waters from autumn through spring, often seen flying low offshore.
Sep–Apr
Redwing
Turdus iliacusNT
An uncommon winter visitor arriving from Scandinavia, present October to April. Feeds in hedgerows and on berry-laden trees across the county.
Oct–Apr
Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosusLC
An uncommon non-breeding visitor to Suffolk's rocky coastal structures and sea walls from September to March. Feeds along the tideline.
Sep–Mar
Snow Bunting
Plectrophenax nivalisLC
A rare winter visitor to Suffolk's shingle beaches and saltmarshes from October to February. Small flocks favour the open coast.
Oct–Feb
Water Pipit
Anthus spinolettaLC
A rare winter visitor to Suffolk's coastal marshes and watercress beds. Present from October to April, often near freshwater margins.
Oct–Apr
Whooper Swan
Cygnus cygnusLC
An uncommon winter visitor, arriving from Iceland and Scandinavia from October. Small herds favour the Ouse and Stour Washes and coastal grazing marshes.
Oct–Mar
Passage
(9)
Arctic Jaeger
Stercorarius parasiticusLC
A rare passage migrant seen offshore from Suffolk's coast in autumn, often harassing terns for their catch.
Aug–Oct
Great Skua
Catharacta skuaLC
A rare but regular autumn passage bird, best seen during seawatches from Lowestoft or Southwold in strong northerly winds between September and November.
Sep–Nov
Merlin
Falco columbariusLC
A rare autumn and winter visitor, dashing low over coastal marshes and heathland. Most likely seen from September to December.
Sep–Dec
Osprey
Pandion haliaetusLC
A rare but regular autumn passage migrant, seen hunting over Suffolk's coastal marshes and estuaries between August and October.
Aug–Oct
Razorbill
Alca tordaLC
A rare late-autumn passage visitor, occasionally seen offshore or washed ashore after storms. Most records come from seawatches between October and December.
Oct–Dec
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatusLC
A rare passage migrant seen briefly in April and October on Suffolk's coast. Favours open scrubby areas and clifftops during stopovers.
Oct–Apr
Sooty Shearwater
Ardenna griseaNT
A rare passage visitor seen during autumn seawatches off the Suffolk coast, typically in September and October during strong onshore winds.
Sep–Oct
Whinchat
Saxicola rubetraLC
An uncommon passage migrant seen in spring and autumn on Suffolk's coastal scrub and marshes. Does not breed locally.
May–Oct
Yellow-browed Warbler
Phylloscopus inornatusLC
An uncommon autumn passage migrant in October, found in coastal scrub and woodland edges. A Siberian waif eagerly sought by birders.
Oct