Birds in Suffolk
Explore 226 species found in this region.
Suffolk is a remarkable county for birdwatching, with 218 recorded species thriving across its diverse landscapes of coastal marshes, estuaries, heathlands, and ancient woodlands. The county's renowned reserves, including RSPB Minsmere and the Suffolk Coast, attract an impressive range of birds from elegant Common Shelducks and Northern Lapwings on the wetlands to elusive Great Grey Shrikes on the heaths. Whether you're scanning mudflats for Common Sandpipers or listening for Eurasian Woodcock roding at dusk, Suffolk offers outstanding birding opportunities throughout the year.
Visiting in April? Look out for American Bittern and Common Redstart arriving this month, and Eurasian Woodcock and Great Grey Shrike depart for the season.
Showing 139–161 of 226 species
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
Manx Shearwater
Puffinus puffinusLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally seen from coastal watchpoints during September seawatching, usually in strong onshore winds.
Sep
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
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
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
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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
Nightingale
Luscinia megarhynchosLC
Suffolk remains a stronghold for this declining summer breeder. Arrives in April and sings from dense scrub and coppiced woodland.
Apr–Jun
Nightjar
Caprimulgus europaeusLC
A rare summer breeder on Suffolk's heathlands, arriving in May. Best detected by its distinctive churring song at dusk.
May–Aug
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 Goshawk
Accipiter gentilisLC
A rare passage visitor in late winter, occasionally seen near larger forest blocks. Sightings are increasing as the UK population slowly expands.
Feb–Mar
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
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
Pectoral Sandpiper
Calidris melanotosLC
A rare Nearctic wader appearing at Suffolk's freshwater scrapes in August and September during autumn passage.
Aug–Sep
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinusLC
A rare but year-round resident, increasingly seen around Suffolk's churches, pylons, and coastal cliffs.
Year-round
Pink-footed Goose
Anser brachyrhynchusLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally seen among other goose flocks on Suffolk's coastal grazing marshes.
Nov–Mar
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
Purple Heron
Ardea purpureaLC
A rare passage visitor to Suffolk's marshes and reedbeds, occasionally recorded in May, June, and September.
May–Sep