Birds in England
Explore 274 species found in this region.
England is home to an impressive diversity of birdlife, with 257 recorded species found across its varied landscapes — from coastal estuaries and chalk downlands to ancient woodlands and upland moors. Notable species include the striking Bluethroat, the charismatic Dotterel of mountain plateaux, and the elegant Eurasian Woodcock hidden among forest floors. Whether you're watching Great Tits in a suburban garden or scanning mudflats for Common Shelduck, England offers outstanding birding opportunities throughout the year.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Bar-headed Goose arriving this month, and Bluethroat and Cackling Goose depart for the season.
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Get Your Free DigestShowing 139–161 of 274 species
Iceland Gull
Larus glaucoidesLC
A rare winter visitor from the Arctic, typically seen at harbours and rubbish tips between November and early spring.
Nov–May
Jack Snipe
Lymnocryptes minimusLC
A secretive winter visitor to boggy marshes and wet meadows, arriving from northern breeding grounds. Often sits tight and flushes silently at close range.
Sep–Apr
Jackdaw
Coloeus monedulaLC
A sociable and common resident found in towns, villages and farmland year-round. Often nests in chimneys and church towers across England.
Year-round
Kestrel
Falco tinnunculusLC
A common resident seen hovering over motorway verges, farmland and grasslands year-round, though numbers have declined in recent decades.
Year-round
Kittiwake
Rissa tridactylaVU
Nests on coastal cliffs, notably at Bempton and along the northeast coast. Numbers have declined sharply in recent decades due to food shortages.
Year-round
Lapland Longspur
Calcarius lapponicusLC
A rare winter visitor to coastal stubble fields and saltmarshes, mainly along the east and north coasts. Most often seen from September to March.
Sep–Mar
Leach's Storm-petrel
Hydrobates leucorhousVU
A rare autumn passage visitor, most often seen from headlands during strong westerly gales between September and November. Breeds far offshore on remote Atlantic islands.
Sep–Nov
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscusLC
A common resident found year-round on coasts, landfill sites and urban rooftops. Numbers swell in summer when breeding colonies are active.
Year-round
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Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Dryobates minorLC
England's smallest and most elusive woodpecker, now seriously declining. Favours mature broadleaved woodland, mainly in southern and central England.
Nov–Sep
Lesser Whitethroat
Curruca currucaLC
An uncommon summer breeder in hedgerows and scrubby habitats, arriving in April and departing by October. Has a distinctive rattling song.
Apr–Oct
Lesser Yellowlegs
Tringa flavipesVU
An uncommon Nearctic wader occasionally recorded at freshwater pools and coastal marshes. A prized find for birders, most likely at well-watched wetland reserves.
Year-round
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
A common resident of farmland, heathland and coastal scrub. Often seen in flocks outside the breeding season, though numbers have declined in recent decades.
Year-round
Little Auk
Alle alleLC
A rare winter visitor to English waters, sometimes driven ashore by autumn and winter storms. Tiny and compact, it is the smallest member of the auk family.
Oct–Jan
Little Egret
Egretta garzettaLC
A striking white heron now common year-round across England, having colonised rapidly since the 1990s. Frequents estuaries, marshes, and coastal lagoons.
Year-round
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollisLC
A common year-round resident of ponds, lakes, and slow-flowing rivers. Often heard before seen, with a distinctive whinnying trill.
Year-round
Little Gull
Hydrocoloeus minutusLC
An uncommon but regular gull, seen year-round at reservoirs, coastal waters and estuaries. The world's smallest gull, with a buoyant flight.
Year-round
Little Owl
Athene noctuaLC
An introduced resident found in farmland, orchards, and parkland year-round. Often perches prominently on posts and walls.
Year-round
Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubiusLC
A summer visitor breeding on gravel pits, reservoirs and river shingle across England from March to September. Distinguished from Ringed Plover by its yellow eye-ring.
Mar–Sep
Little Stint
Calidris minutaLC
An uncommon but regular wader, most numerous on passage at coastal pools and estuaries in autumn. A tiny, active bird often feeding alongside Dunlin.
Year-round
Little Tern
Sternula albifronsLC
An uncommon summer breeder on shingle and sandy beaches. Declining and heavily protected, with key colonies along the English east coast.
Apr–Sep
Long-billed Dowitcher
Limnodromus scolopaceusNT
A rare Nearctic wader occasionally found at freshwater marshes and reservoirs, most often in autumn. Long-staying individuals sometimes overwinter.
Jul–Apr
Long-eared Owl
Asio otusLC
A secretive, uncommon resident of dense woodland and conifer plantations. Strictly nocturnal and easily overlooked year-round.
Year-round
Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalisVU
An uncommon winter visitor to coastal waters and offshore areas, arriving from Arctic breeding grounds. Most regularly seen off the east coast.
Sep–Apr