Birds in Wiltshire
Explore 144 species found in this region.
Wiltshire's diverse landscapes, from the rolling chalk downlands of Salisbury Plain to the river valleys of the Avon and Kennet, support a rich variety of birdlife. With 143 species recorded across the county, birders can enjoy sightings ranging from the iconic Barn Owl hunting over open farmland to the striking Mandarin Duck along wooded waterways. The county's mix of wetlands, ancient woodlands, and grasslands makes it a rewarding destination for birdwatching throughout the year.
Visiting in April? Look out for Barn Swallow and Common Redstart arriving this month, and Common Gull and Common Merganser depart for the season.
Showing 24–46 of 144 species
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April, nesting in reedbeds along Wiltshire's rivers and at wetland reserves.
Apr–Sep
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
A rare breeding-season visitor, bobbing along stony river margins and reservoir edges from April to September.
Apr–Sep
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
A rare spring passage visitor, occasionally dropping in at Wiltshire's larger lakes and reservoirs between March and May.
Mar–May
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to wet meadows and marshy fields. Present from autumn through to spring, probing soft ground with its long bill.
Aug–Apr
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
A common resident forming spectacular winter murmurations, notably over Salisbury and the county's reedbeds.
Year-round
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
A summer breeding visitor from April to August, screaming over Wiltshire's towns and villages before departing for Africa.
Apr–Aug
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
An uncommon summer breeder at Wiltshire's gravel pits and reservoirs, present from April to August.
Apr–Aug
Coot
Fulica atraLC
Resident on Wiltshire's larger lakes and reservoirs year-round, often forming sizeable flocks in winter.
Year-round
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Corn Bunting
Emberiza calandraLC
An uncommon resident of open arable farmland, Salisbury Plain remains a stronghold for this declining bunting.
Year-round
Cuckoo
Cuculus canorusLC
A declining summer visitor heard calling across downland and woodland edges from April to June before heading south.
Apr–Jun
Curlew
Numenius arquataNT
A rare and declining resident, breeding on Salisbury Plain's grasslands. Wiltshire holds one of southern England's few populations.
Nov–Jul
Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLC
A rare passage migrant, occasionally stopping at muddy reservoir margins and flooded fields in March and autumn.
Oct–Mar
Dunnock
Prunella modularisLC
A common and widespread resident of hedgerows, gardens, and scrubby undergrowth. Often overlooked, it shuffles quietly beneath bird feeders across the county.
Year-round
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacaLC
A rare but spreading resident, part of the UK's expanding feral population. Found on lakes and parkland, often nesting in tree holes near water.
Apr–Jan
Eurasian Bittern
Botaurus stellarisLC
A rare and secretive passage visitor in spring, occasionally recorded at reedbeds and wetland sites. Far more often heard booming than seen.
Mar–May
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
A common year-round resident in villages, towns and farmyards across Wiltshire. Its monotonous three-note call is a familiar sound in gardens.
Year-round
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of Wiltshire's broadleaf woodlands, often detected by its harsh screeching call.
Year-round
Eurasian Nuthatch
Sitta europaeaLC
An uncommon year-round resident of mature broadleaved woodland, often seen spiralling down tree trunks in sites like Savernake Forest.
Year-round
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegusNT
A rare breeding visitor, occasionally nesting on gravel banks and arable fields, well inland from its typical coastal haunts.
Mar–Jul
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
An uncommon resident favouring alder and conifer woodlands, sometimes visiting garden feeders in winter.
Year-round
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
An uncommon resident of open grassland and arable fields, still heard singing over Salisbury Plain though declining nationally.
Year-round
Eurasian Stone-curlew
Burhinus oedicnemusLC
A rare summer breeder on Salisbury Plain's dry chalk grassland, one of its key UK strongholds. Arrives from March.
Mar–Sep
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Passer montanusLC
A rare passage visitor to Wiltshire, occasionally noted around farmland edges in February and June.
Feb–Jun