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 116–138 of 160 species
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
An uncommon resident found on shallow lakes and reservoirs. Numbers increase in winter with birds from the continent.
Year-round
Osprey
Pandion haliaetusLC
A rare but thrilling autumn passage migrant, sometimes pausing to fish at Surrey's reservoirs and lakes during September.
Sep
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinusLC
A rare but year-round resident, increasingly seen around tall buildings in urban Surrey and hunting over open countryside.
Year-round
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
Present year-round on larger lakes and reservoirs but declining nationally. Numbers bolstered in winter by continental arrivals.
Year-round
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare resident of Surrey's conifer plantations, with sporadic irruptions. Most likely in mature pines on heathland sites.
Year-round
Red Kite
Milvus milvusLC
Now a common sight year-round, soaring over farmland and motorways. Has recolonised Surrey following successful reintroduction programmes.
Year-round
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufinaLC
A rare visitor to Surrey's lakes and reservoirs, most likely in autumn. Origins uncertain, with both wild vagrants and escapes possible.
Nov
Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufaNT
A scarce resident of Surrey's arable farmland, often released for shooting. Favours open fields with low hedgerows and dry soils.
Year-round
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Red-necked Grebe
Podiceps grisegenaLC
A rare passage visitor to Surrey's larger reservoirs and gravel pits, most likely seen in summer moult migration.
Jul
Redshank
Tringa totanusLC
A rare resident found at Surrey's wetland reserves and sewage works. Numbers have declined significantly across the county in recent decades.
Nov–Sep
Redwing
Turdus iliacusNT
A common winter visitor from Scandinavia, foraging in hedgerows and orchards for berries. Often found alongside Fieldfares from October to April.
Oct–Apr
Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclusLC
An uncommon year-round resident of reedbeds, wet ditches, and scrubby margins along Surrey's rivers and reservoirs.
Year-round
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatusLC
A rare passage migrant seen briefly in April and October on Surrey's heathlands and downland, pausing on migration to upland breeding grounds.
Oct–Apr
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
A rare visitor to Surrey's gravel pits and reservoir margins, mainly on passage in spring and autumn. Occasionally breeds at suitable sites.
Apr–Oct
Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
Abundant year-round in towns and cities across Surrey as feral pigeons. Truly wild birds are essentially absent.
Year-round
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
An uncommon resident nesting colonially in tall trees near Surrey's farmland. Numbers have declined across the county.
Year-round
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Alexandrinus krameriLC
A common and conspicuous year-round resident, especially in suburban areas. Surrey lies within the core of this established non-native population.
Year-round
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensisLC
Now extremely rare in Surrey following a national eradication programme. Occasionally breeds on sheltered lakes and reservoirs.
Jan–Jul
Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
A rare autumn passage visitor to Surrey's muddy reservoir margins and sewage works from August to November.
Aug–Nov
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
An uncommon summer breeder, arriving from March and nesting in sandy banks near rivers and gravel pits. Often seen hawking over water.
Mar–Sep
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April, favouring reedbeds and waterside scrub at Surrey's wetland reserves.
Apr–Sep
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeusLC
A rare winter visitor to Surrey's open heathlands and farmland, most likely seen quartering low over rough grassland between October and February.
Oct–Feb
Smew
Mergellus albellusLC
A rare and prized winter visitor, occasionally appearing on reservoirs in cold spells. The striking male is unmistakable.
Jan