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 185–207 of 274 species
Pectoral Sandpiper
Calidris melanotosLC
A rare Nearctic passage wader, mainly seen at freshwater scrapes and coastal pools from July to October. Most records come from well-watched wetland reserves.
May–Oct
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinusLC
An uncommon but increasing year-round resident, now nesting on cathedrals and tower blocks in many English cities as well as traditional cliff sites.
Year-round
Pink-footed Goose
Anser brachyrhynchusLC
Huge wintering flocks gather on farmland and estuaries, especially in Lancashire and Norfolk. Numbers peak from October to March.
Year-round
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
Present year-round on lakes and reservoirs, though breeding numbers have declined sharply. Winter flocks are bolstered by Continental immigrants.
Year-round
Pomarine Jaeger
Stercorarius pomarinusLC
A rare passage seabird best seen from headlands during spring and autumn seawatches. Most records come from the south and east coasts.
Apr–Nov
Purple Heron
Ardea purpureaLC
A rare passage visitor, mainly in spring and summer at wetlands in southern and eastern England. Skulks more than Grey Heron in dense reedbeds.
Apr–Oct
Purple Sandpiper
Calidris maritimaLC
An uncommon wader favouring rocky coasts and harbour walls, mainly in winter. Scarce in June but otherwise present most of the year.
Jul–May
Razorbill
Alca tordaLC
An uncommon resident seabird found on rocky coasts and offshore islands. Breeds on cliff ledges and disperses to coastal waters outside the breeding season.
Year-round
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Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare but year-round resident of coniferous forests, with numbers boosted by periodic irruptions. Its crossed bill is uniquely adapted for extracting seeds from pine cones.
Year-round
Red Grouse
Lagopus lagopus scoticaLC
A resident grouse of northern moorland and heather-clad uplands. Iconic in the Pennines and North York Moors, closely tied to managed heather habitat.
Year-round
Red Kite
Milvus milvusLC
A magnificent resident raptor, now thriving across much of England following successful reintroduction. Often seen soaring over the Chilterns and Midlands.
Year-round
Red Knot
Calidris canutusNT
An uncommon but locally abundant wader on estuaries and mudflats, with large winter flocks gathering at sites like the Wash and Morecambe Bay.
Year-round
Red-backed Shrike
Lanius collurioLC
Once a regular English breeder, now a rare visitor seen mainly on passage along the east and south coasts from May to October.
May–Oct
Red-breasted Goose
Branta ruficollisVU
A rare visitor from Arctic Russia, occasionally wintering among Brent Goose flocks on eastern English coasts from November to spring.
Nov–May
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serratorLC
Found year-round on estuaries and sheltered coasts, with numbers boosted in winter by continental arrivals. Breeds sparingly in northern England.
Year-round
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufinaLC
An uncommon resident centred on lakes and reservoirs in southeast England. The feral population has become established and is slowly increasing.
Year-round
Red-flanked Bluetail
Tarsiger cyanurusLC
A rare vagrant from Asia, mostly recorded in autumn on the east coast. Typically found skulking in dense coastal scrub and gardens at migration watchpoints.
Sep–Jan
Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufaNT
An introduced resident most common on farmland in eastern and southern England. Often seen in small coveys along field margins and tracks.
Year-round
Red-necked Grebe
Podiceps grisegenaLC
An uncommon visitor, most frequently seen along the east coast in winter. Occasionally breeds at a handful of English sites in recent years.
Jul–May
Red-necked Phalarope
Phalaropus lobatusLC
A rare passage migrant, mainly in autumn, favouring coastal pools and freshwater margins. Most breed far to the north.
May–Oct
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellataLC
Present year-round but uncommon, mainly seen off coasts in winter. Breeds sparingly in northern England.
Year-round
Redshank
Tringa totanusLC
A common year-round wader found on estuaries, saltmarshes and wet grasslands. Breeding populations have declined, but winter numbers remain healthy.
Year-round
Redwing
Turdus iliacusNT
A common winter visitor arriving from Scandinavia and Iceland, often seen in hedgerows and on berry-laden trees from October.
Sep–May