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 185–207 of 226 species
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
A common summer breeder, arriving from March and nesting colonially in sandy riverbanks and coastal cliffs across Suffolk.
Mar–Oct
Sanderling
Calidris albaLC
A scarce visitor to Suffolk's sandy beaches, most often seen running along the tideline at sites like Minsmere.
Year-round
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
Savi's Warbler
Locustella luscinioidesLC
A rare passage visitor in May, occasionally heard reeling from dense reedbeds. Has bred sporadically at Suffolk wetland sites.
May
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
A common summer breeder in reedbeds and waterside scrub from April to September. Its chattering song fills Suffolk's wetlands.
Apr–Sep
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
Smew
Mergellus albellusLC
A scarce winter visitor, occasionally appearing on Suffolk's reservoirs and flooded gravel pits from December to March.
Dec–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
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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
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
Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLC
A year-round resident found in woodland, farmland, and gardens across Suffolk. Often seen dashing along hedgerows.
Year-round
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striataLC
A rare and declining summer breeder arriving in May. Hunts insects from exposed perches in churchyards and woodland clearings.
May–Sep
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
Temminck's Stint
Calidris temminckiiLC
A rare passage migrant, occasionally recorded at Suffolk's coastal scrapes and pools, chiefly in May.
Dec–May
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.
Apr–Sep
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
Tundra Bean Goose
Anser serrirostrisLC
A rare midwinter visitor, occasionally found on arable fields and grazing marshes in the coldest months. Suffolk lies at the edge of its regular wintering range.
Dec–Feb
Tundra Swan
Cygnus columbianusLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally found on flooded fields and grazing marshes. Small numbers may appear in cold spells between November and February.
Nov–Feb
Twite
Linaria flavirostrisLC
A rare winter visitor to Suffolk's coastal saltmarshes and shingle, mainly November to January. Easily overlooked among linnet flocks.
Nov–Jan