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 93–115 of 160 species
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Dryobates minorLC
A rare and declining passage visitor, occasionally noted in March in mature broadleaved woodland. One of the UK's fastest-declining species.
Mar
Lesser Whitethroat
Curruca currucaLC
A rare summer breeder in Surrey, favouring tall hedgerows and scrubby thickets. Its rattling song is easily overlooked.
Apr–Sep
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
A year-round resident of Surrey's heathlands and farmland edges, often forming large flocks in winter on stubble fields.
Year-round
Little Egret
Egretta garzettaLC
An uncommon but increasingly established resident, found along rivers, reservoirs, and gravel pits. A relatively recent coloniser of Surrey's waterways.
Year-round
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollisLC
An uncommon but year-round resident on Surrey's ponds, lakes and quiet stretches of river. Its whinnying trill is a distinctive waterside sound.
Year-round
Little Gull
Hydrocoloeus minutusLC
A rare passage migrant over Surrey's larger reservoirs in spring and autumn, sometimes lingering briefly among Black-headed Gulls.
Apr–Oct
Little Owl
Athene noctuaLC
A rare and declining resident of Surrey's farmland and parkland. This introduced species favours old trees and farm buildings for nesting.
Year-round
Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubiusLC
A rare summer breeder favouring Surrey's gravel pits and reservoir margins from March to August. Often the first returning wader of spring.
Mar–Aug
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Little Stint
Calidris minutaLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally found on muddy fringes of Surrey's reservoirs in September and October.
Sep–Oct
Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatusLC
A common and endearing resident, roaming hedgerows and woodland in noisy family flocks. Easily recognised by its long tail and bouncing flight.
Year-round
Magpie
Pica picaLC
A bold and common year-round resident of gardens, parks, and hedgerows throughout Surrey, easily recognised by its pied plumage and long tail.
Year-round
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
The most widespread duck in Surrey, common on every pond, river and lake throughout the year. Readily breeds in parks and gardens.
Year-round
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
Favours wooded rivers and lakes, with Surrey being a UK stronghold. Nests in tree holes along the Wey and Mole valleys.
Year-round
Marsh Tit
Poecile palustrisLC
A rare resident of mature deciduous woodland, declining across Surrey. Often confused with Willow Tit but favours drier, established woods.
Year-round
Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensisLC
An uncommon resident of Surrey's heaths and rough grassland, delivering its parachuting song flight in spring. Numbers increase on passage.
Year-round
Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorusLC
An uncommon resident often singing from tall treetops in Surrey's parks and woodland edges, even in midwinter.
Year-round
Moorhen
Gallinula chloropusLC
A common resident found year-round on Surrey's ponds, lakes, rivers and park waterways. Often seen picking through waterside vegetation.
Year-round
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
A familiar and common resident gracing Surrey's rivers, lakes and park ponds throughout the year. Breeds along the Thames and Wey.
Year-round
Nightingale
Luscinia megarhynchosLC
A rare and declining summer breeder, arriving in April. Dense scrubby woodland in parts of Surrey still holds a few singing males.
Apr–Jun
Nightjar
Caprimulgus europaeusLC
A rare summer breeder on Surrey's lowland heaths, arriving in May. Best detected by its churring song at dusk on warm evenings.
May–Aug
Northern Goshawk
Accipiter gentilisLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally spotted over extensive woodland in late winter. Slowly recolonising parts of southern England including Surrey's larger forests.
Feb–Mar
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellusNT
An uncommon resident on farmland, declining as a breeder. Winter flocks form on ploughed fields, sometimes joined by continental birds.
Year-round
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
A rare passage visitor in late autumn, occasionally appearing on reservoirs and flooded fields in November and December.
Nov–Dec