Birds in Surrey
Explore 160 species found in this region.
Surrey is home to an impressive diversity of birdlife, with 160 recorded species found across its varied landscapes of heathlands, ancient woodlands, chalk downlands, and river valleys. Notable species include the striking Mandarin Duck, which thrives along the county's wooded waterways, the elusive Eurasian Woodcock in its broadleaf forests, and scarce visitors such as the Great Grey Shrike on open heathlands. From the commons of the North Downs to the wetlands of the Thames Basin, Surrey offers rewarding birdwatching opportunities throughout the year.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Bar-tailed Godwit arriving this month, and Arctic Loon and Barn Owl depart for the season.
Showing 24–46 of 160 species
Common Loon
Gavia immerLC
A rare winter visitor to Surrey's larger reservoirs. Known in Britain as Great Northern Diver, it is always a notable county record.
Nov–Apr
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally seen on Surrey's rivers and reservoirs between November and March. Known locally as Goosander.
Nov–Mar
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
A common resident across Surrey's farmland, woodland edges and estates, often heard calling from dense cover throughout the year.
Year-round
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
A rare but increasing resident, slowly recolonising Surrey after long absence. Deep cronking calls betray its presence over the downs.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
An uncommon resident found in birch and alder woodland across Surrey. Numbers fluctuate seasonally, with flocks sometimes visiting garden feeders in winter.
Jul–May
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
An uncommon summer breeder found in mature oak woodland and heathland edges, arriving in April. Males flash a vivid orange-red tail.
Apr–Sep
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April, found singing from reedbeds and waterside vegetation at wetland sites across Surrey.
Apr–Sep
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
An uncommon breeding visitor to Surrey, bobbing along reservoir edges and gravel pit shores from April to October.
Apr–Oct
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Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
A rare but regular resident around Surrey's larger water bodies, occasionally breeding. More typically a coastal species, scarce this far inland.
Nov–Sep
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
An uncommon year-round resident of boggy meadows and marshes. Easiest to find in winter when flushed from waterlogged fields.
Year-round
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
A common but declining resident, forming spectacular winter murmurations. Found in gardens, farmland, and urban areas across Surrey.
Year-round
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
A common summer breeder screaming over Surrey's towns and villages from late April to September. Nests in roof spaces and older buildings.
Apr–Sep
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
An uncommon breeding visitor to Surrey's reservoirs and gravel pits, nesting on rafts and islands from April to September.
Apr–Sep
Coot
Fulica atraLC
A common resident on lakes, reservoirs and gravel pits across the county. Aggressive and territorial, often seen chasing rivals.
Year-round
Cuckoo
Cuculus canorusLC
An uncommon summer visitor arriving in April, heard more often than seen across Surrey's heathlands and woodland edges. Numbers are declining.
Apr–Jul
Curlew
Numenius arquataNT
A rare breeding species on Surrey's remaining damp grasslands, present from March to August. Severely declining nationally.
Mar–Aug
Curlew Sandpiper
Calidris ferrugineaNT
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally stopping at reservoir margins in September. A scarce inland record for Surrey.
Sep
Dartford Warbler
Curruca undataNT
An uncommon resident of Surrey's lowland heaths, particularly around Thursley and the western commons. Vulnerable to harsh winters.
Year-round
Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLC
A rare but widespread visitor to Surrey's reservoirs and gravel pits, recorded in most months. Favours muddy shorelines on passage.
Mar–Jan
Dunnock
Prunella modularisLC
A common and unobtrusive resident of hedgerows, gardens, and scrub throughout Surrey. Its thin, warbling song is heard year-round.
Year-round
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacaLC
An established but uncommon resident, often seen around parkland lakes and gravel pits. Numbers have been slowly increasing.
Year-round
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
A familiar resident of Surrey's gardens, towns and villages, recognised by its monotonous three-note call heard year-round.
Year-round
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
A common and colourful resident of Surrey's oak woodlands, busy burying acorns in autumn across parks and gardens.
Year-round