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 June? Look out for Common Quail and Eurasian Tree Sparrow arriving this month, and Common Shelduck and Egyptian Goose depart for the season.
Showing 116–138 of 144 species
Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
Common year-round as feral pigeons in towns like Salisbury, Swindon, and Trowbridge, roosting on buildings and bridges.
Year-round
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
A common resident of Wiltshire's farmland, nesting colonially in tall trees and foraging in ploughed fields year-round.
Year-round
Ruddy Shelduck
Tadorna ferrugineaLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded in October. Most Wiltshire sightings likely involve escapees or continental vagrants.
Oct
Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally appearing at muddy lake edges and flooded fields in October.
Oct
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
An uncommon summer visitor breeding in sandy riverbanks and gravel pits, present from March to September.
Mar–Sep
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
A summer breeding visitor to reedbeds and waterside scrub, arriving in April and singing its chattering song into July.
Apr–Aug
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeusLC
A rare passage visitor to Salisbury Plain's open grasslands, occasionally seen quartering low in early winter and spring.
Jan–Mar
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelosLC
A year-round resident of gardens, hedgerows and woodland. Its rich, repeated song phrases carry across Wiltshire's valleys.
Year-round
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Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLC
A resident raptor of woodlands and gardens, often seen dashing along hedgerows in pursuit of small birds.
Year-round
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striataLC
An uncommon and declining summer breeder, arriving in May to hawk insects from exposed perches in open woodland and churchyards.
May–Sep
Stock Dove
Columba oenasLC
An uncommon resident favouring farmland, parkland and woodland edges year-round. Often nests in tree holes across Wiltshire's mixed agricultural landscape.
Year-round
Stonechat
Saxicola torquatusLC
Resident year-round on gorse-covered downland and heathland edges. Often perches prominently, flicking its tail and giving a sharp call like stones tapped together.
Year-round
Tawny Owl
Strix alucoLC
A secretive nocturnal resident of mature woodland and parkland. Seldom seen but its quavering hoot is a familiar sound on calm Wiltshire nights.
Year-round
Tree Pipit
Anthus trivialisLC
A rare summer breeder on heathland and open woodland edges, delivering its distinctive parachuting song flight. Has declined significantly across southern England.
Apr–Sep
Treecreeper
Certhia familiarisLC
A resident of mature woodland, spiralling mouse-like up tree trunks in search of insects hidden in the bark.
Year-round
Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligulaLC
An uncommon resident found on lakes and gravel pits throughout the year. Often dives for food on open water, forming small flocks in winter.
Year-round
Water Rail
Rallus aquaticusLC
A secretive non-breeding visitor to reedbeds and marshy margins, most likely encountered from autumn through to early spring.
Sep–Mar
Western Marsh-harrier
Circus aeruginosusLC
A rare resident associated with larger reedbeds and wetland areas. Has slowly increased in recent decades as part of a wider recovery across southern England.
Year-round
Wheatear
Oenanthe oenantheLC
A rare passage visitor to open downland, seen mainly on Salisbury Plain in spring and autumn with a gap in midsummer.
Mar–Oct
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopusLC
A rare April passage migrant, occasionally heard calling overhead or seen resting at wet grassland sites en route to northern breeding areas.
Apr
Whinchat
Saxicola rubetraLC
A rare summer breeder on Salisbury Plain's open grasslands, arriving in April and departing by September.
Apr–Sep
Whitethroat
Curruca communisLC
A summer visitor breeding in scrubby hedgerows and field margins across Salisbury Plain and the chalk downlands, arriving in April and departing by September.
Apr–Sep
Willow Warbler
Phylloscopus trochilusLC
A summer breeder in scrubby woodland and hedgerows. Its gentle descending song is a hallmark of spring in Wiltshire.
Mar–Sep