Birds in Warwickshire
Explore 179 species found in this region.
Warwickshire, a landlocked county in the heart of England, supports a rich diversity of birdlife with 177 recorded species across its varied habitats. From the wetlands and reservoirs that attract wildfowl such as Common Merganser, Red-crested Pochard and Mandarin Duck, to the farmlands and woodlands home to familiar species like Great Tit, Magpie and Eurasian Woodcock, the county offers rewarding birdwatching throughout the year. Notable sites along river valleys and gravel pits also draw waders including Northern Lapwing and Common Sandpiper, making Warwickshire a surprisingly productive birding destination.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Black Tern arriving this month, and Barnacle Goose and Black-necked Grebe depart for the season.
Showing 139–161 of 179 species
Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclusLC
A common resident of reedbeds, ditches, and wetland margins across Warwickshire, also using farmland stubble fields in winter.
Year-round
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatusLC
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally pausing briefly in April on upland-edge farmland. Sightings in Warwickshire are highly prized by local birders.
Apr
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
A rare breeder, nesting on gravel margins and reservoir edges from spring through autumn at a few favoured sites.
Mar–Oct
Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
Uncommon in pure form; feral pigeons are widespread in urban areas across Warwickshire's towns, nesting on buildings and bridges year-round.
Year-round
Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosusLC
A rare autumn passage visitor, very unusual this far inland. October records likely involve coastal birds displaced during migration.
Oct
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
A common resident of agricultural land, nesting colonially in tall trees. Traditional rookeries remain a feature of Warwickshire's rural landscape.
Year-round
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Alexandrinus krameriLC
A rare resident, part of the expanding feral population spreading from London. Small numbers are occasionally recorded in suburban Warwickshire.
Year-round
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensisLC
Once more widespread before national culling, now a rare resident. Occasionally seen on still waters, a remnant of the Midlands population.
Aug–May
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Ruddy Shelduck
Tadorna ferrugineaLC
A rare passage visitor, with occasional records in June and November. Sightings may involve escapees from wildfowl collections.
Jun–Nov
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpresLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally stopping at reservoir margins in August during southward migration.
Aug
Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
An uncommon autumn passage migrant from August to October, favouring muddy reservoir margins and flooded scrapes.
Aug–Oct
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
An uncommon summer visitor breeding in sandy riverbanks and gravel pit faces. Arrives from March and gathers in flocks before departing by October.
Mar–Oct
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
An uncommon summer breeder found in reedbeds and waterside vegetation along Warwickshire's rivers and wetlands from April to September.
Apr–Sep
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeusLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded in winter on open farmland and rough grassland. Sightings in Warwickshire are infrequent and unpredictable.
Dec
Smew
Mergellus albellusLC
A rare winter passage visitor, sometimes appearing on reservoirs and gravel pits in the coldest months from January to March.
Jan–Mar
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelosLC
A common resident heard singing from hedgerows and gardens across the county. Often among the first birds to sing at dawn in Warwickshire's woodlands.
Year-round
Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLC
A year-round resident, hunting small birds in woodland, hedgerows and gardens. Often seen dashing low through suburban areas.
Year-round
Spotted Crake
Porzana porzanaLC
A rare and secretive passage migrant, occasionally recorded at marshy wetland edges in September.
Sep
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striataLC
A rare and declining summer visitor arriving in May, favouring churchyards, woodland edges and mature gardens. One of the UK's fastest-declining migrants.
May–Sep
Stock Dove
Columba oenasLC
A common resident breeding in old woodpecker holes and tree cavities across farmland and parkland throughout the county.
Year-round
Stonechat
Saxicola torquatusLC
An uncommon non-breeding visitor to rough grassland and heathland edges, most often seen from autumn through to early spring.
Sep–Mar
Tawny Owl
Strix alucoLC
A resident of mature woodland and well-treed parks, more often heard than seen. Its familiar hooting call carries through Warwickshire's woods on still nights.
Year-round
Treecreeper
Certhia familiarisLC
An unobtrusive resident of mature deciduous woodland, spiralling up tree trunks in search of insects. Uncommon but widespread across Warwickshire's wooded areas.
Year-round