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 139–160 of 160 species
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelosLC
A common resident of gardens and woodland, often seen smashing snails on a favourite stone. Numbers have declined but it remains widespread in Surrey.
Year-round
Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLC
An uncommon but widespread resident, hunting small birds through Surrey's gardens, hedgerows and woodland edges year-round.
Year-round
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striataLC
An uncommon and declining summer visitor, arriving in May. Favours woodland clearings and mature gardens with open perches.
May–Sep
Stock Dove
Columba oenasLC
A common resident found in Surrey's parkland, mature woodland and farmland, nesting in tree holes. Often overlooked among Wood Pigeons.
Year-round
Stonechat
Saxicola torquatusLC
An uncommon resident of Surrey's gorse-clad heathlands, perching prominently and flicking its tail. Numbers bolstered in winter by dispersing birds.
Year-round
Tawny Owl
Strix alucoLC
A secretive nocturnal resident of Surrey's mature woodlands. Rarely seen but its hooting call carries through the trees.
Year-round
Tree Pipit
Anthus trivialisLC
Breeds on Surrey's heathlands from April to September, delivering its distinctive song flight over open woodland edges and clearings.
Apr–Sep
Treecreeper
Certhia familiarisLC
An uncommon but resident bark-specialist, spiralling up tree trunks in Surrey's mature deciduous and mixed woodlands.
Year-round
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Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligulaLC
A common diving duck found on reservoirs, gravel pits and park lakes throughout the year. Winter flocks can be sizeable.
Year-round
Water Pipit
Anthus spinolettaLC
A rare winter visitor to watercress beds and wet meadows, present from November to March. Easily overlooked among other pipits.
Nov–Mar
Water Rail
Rallus aquaticusLC
A secretive resident of reedbeds and marshy margins. More often heard than seen, with its pig-like squealing call betraying its presence.
Year-round
Wheatear
Oenanthe oenantheLC
A rare visitor to open downland and ploughed fields during spring and autumn migration. Most likely on the North Downs or heathland edges.
Mar–Oct
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopusLC
A rare spring passage migrant, briefly passing through Surrey in April en route to northern breeding grounds. Listen for its distinctive tittering call.
Apr
Whinchat
Saxicola rubetraLC
A rare passage migrant seen briefly in spring and autumn on heathland and rough grassland. Surrey's commons offer the best chance of a sighting.
Apr–Sep
Whitethroat
Curruca communisLC
A common summer breeder found along hedgerows and scrubby field margins from April to September. Males deliver a scratchy song in dancing display flights.
Apr–Sep
Willow Warbler
Phylloscopus trochilusLC
An uncommon summer breeder on Surrey's heathlands and woodland edges, arriving in April. Its gentle descending song distinguishes it from Chiffchaff.
Apr–Sep
Wood Sandpiper
Tringa glareolaLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally visiting Surrey's muddy reservoir margins and sewage works in August.
Aug
Woodlark
Lullula arboreaLC
An uncommon but cherished year-round resident of Surrey's lowland heaths, delivering its beautiful song from early spring over sites like Thursley Common.
Year-round
Woodpigeon
Columba palumbusLC
An abundant resident seen in virtually every habitat from town centres to deep woodland. Surrey's most familiar pigeon, present in large numbers year-round.
Year-round
Yellow Wagtail
Motacilla flavaLC
A rare visitor to damp meadows and waterside fields in spring and autumn. Has declined sharply as a breeding bird across lowland England.
Apr–Oct
Yellow-legged Gull
Larus michahellisLC
A rare but increasingly regular visitor, mainly seen at reservoirs from late summer into autumn. Spring passage birds also occur.
Jul–Nov
Yellowhammer
Emberiza citrinellaLC
An uncommon resident of farmland edges and hedgerows, declining across Surrey as arable habitats are lost. Males sing their distinctive song from exposed perches.
Year-round