Birds to See in Wales in December
154 bird species on our list for Wales are recorded regularly in December
Of these, the most often recorded are Blackbird, European Robin, Carrion Crow, Magpie and European Herring Gull. New this month: Eurasian Bittern.
On the move in December
GBIF · DecAt their peak
From Wales’s bird records, 2019–2024: arriving birds are regular this month but not last; leaving birds are regular this month but not next.
Other months
All 154 birds in December
154 birds
BlackbirdTurdus merulaResidentCommon24–25 cmRecorded all year · 3.75% in Dec
European RobinErithacus rubeculaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 3.58% in Dec
Carrion CrowCorvus coroneResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 3.55% in Dec
MagpiePica picaResidentCommon44–46 cmRecorded all year · 3.11% in Dec
European Herring GullLarus argentatusResidentCommon55–67 cmRecorded all year · 3.03% in Dec
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleusResidentCommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 2.97% in Dec
WoodpigeonColumba palumbusResidentCommon40–42 cmRecorded all year · 2.89% in Dec
JackdawColoeus monedulaResidentCommon34–39 cmRecorded all year · 2.55% in Dec
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusResidentCommon38–44 cmRecorded all year · 2.31% in Dec
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 2.29% in Dec
DunnockPrunella modularisResidentCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 2.28% in Dec
Great TitParus majorResidentCommonRecorded all year · 2.21% in Dec
ChaffinchFringilla coelebsResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 1.98% in Dec
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.96% in Dec
Eurasian WrenTroglodytes troglodytesResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 1.93% in Dec
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboResidentCommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 1.89% in Dec
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.88% in Dec
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 1.62% in Dec
Pied WagtailMotacilla albaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 1.35% in Dec
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatusResidentCommon13–16 cmRecorded all year · 1.32% in Dec
Song ThrushTurdus philomelosResidentCommon20–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.27% in Dec
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentCommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 1.23% in Dec
MoorhenGallinula chloropusResidentCommon30–38 cmRecorded all year · 1.20% in Dec
Eurasian OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusResidentCommon40–45 cmRecorded all year · 1.18% in Dec
BuzzardButeo buteoResidentCommon51–57 cmRecorded all year · 1.16% in Dec
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusResidentCommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 1.16% in Dec
CootFulica atraResidentCommon36–42 cmRecorded all year · 1.13% in Dec
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos majorResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 1.12% in Dec
RedwingTurdus iliacusWinter visitorCommon20–24 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 1.12% in Dec
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentCommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 1.09% in Dec
Coal TitPeriparus aterResidentCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 1.09% in Dec
Grey HeronArdea cinereaResidentCommon90–98 cmRecorded all year · 1.09% in Dec
CurlewNumenius arquataResidentCommon50–60 cmRecorded all year · 1.07% in Dec
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRecorded all year · 1.02% in Dec
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatusResidentCommon46–51 cmRecorded all year · 1.02% in Dec
GoldcrestRegulus regulusResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 1.01% in Dec
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaResidentCommon40–47 cmRecorded all year · 1.00% in Dec
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorCommon42–51 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.97% in Dec
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollisResidentCommon23–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.95% in Dec
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 0.94% in Dec
RedshankTringa totanusWinter visitorCommon27–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.93% in Dec
Little EgretEgretta garzettaResidentCommon55–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.92% in Dec
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.91% in Dec
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 0.90% in Dec
Eurasian JayGarrulus glandariusResidentCommon32–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.85% in Dec
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhulaResidentCommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.82% in Dec
Eurasian NuthatchSitta europaeaResidentCommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.79% in Dec
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.76% in Dec
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorusResidentCommon26–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.75% in Dec
Common GullLarus canusWinter visitorCommon40–46 cmRecorded all year · 0.67% in Dec
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensisResidentCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.66% in Dec
Northern LapwingVanellus vanellusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.64% in Dec
Common ShelduckTadorna tadornaResidentCommon58–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in Dec
RookCorvus frugilegusResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.61% in Dec
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinereaResidentCommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.59% in Dec
Common MerganserMergus merganserWinter visitorCommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.58% in Dec
StonechatSaxicola rubicolaResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.57% in Dec
GreenfinchChloris chlorisResidentCommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.55% in Dec
Red KiteMilvus milvusResidentCommon60–66 cmRecorded all year · 0.55% in Dec
Common SnipeGallinago gallinagoWinter visitorCommon25–27 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.53% in Dec
FieldfareTurdus pilarisWinter visitorCommon22–27 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.48% in Dec
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataResidentUncommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.46% in Dec
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentCommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.46% in Dec
PochardAythya ferinaWinter visitorUncommon42–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in Dec
DunlinCalidris alpinaResidentCommon16–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in Dec
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresWinter visitorCommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.42% in Dec
Water RailRallus aquaticusWinter visitorCommon23–28 cmRecorded all year · 0.42% in Dec
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclusResidentUncommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.42% in Dec
Rock PipitAnthus petrosusResidentCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.42% in Dec
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisusResidentCommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.41% in Dec
GadwallMareca streperaResidentUncommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in Dec
TreecreeperCerthia familiarisResidentUncommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in Dec
KestrelFalco tinnunculusResidentCommon32–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.38% in Dec
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentCommon75–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in Dec
Common KingfisherAlcedo atthisResidentUncommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in Dec
GoldeneyeBucephala clangulaWinter visitorUncommon40–51 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.34% in Dec
Eurasian SiskinSpinus spinusResidentCommon11–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in Dec
Cetti's WarblerCettia cettiResidentUncommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in Dec
European ShagGulosus aristotelisResidentCommon65–80 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in Dec
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorResidentUncommon52–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in Dec
LinnetLinaria cannabinaSummer visitorCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Dec
Common ScoterMelanitta nigraWinter visitorUncommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Dec
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataWinter visitorUncommon53–69 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.26% in Dec
Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosaResidentUncommon40–44 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in Dec
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.23% in Dec
European Green WoodpeckerPicus viridisResidentUncommon30–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in Dec
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybitaSummer visitorCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Dec
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorUncommon55–66 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.20% in Dec
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Dec
DipperCinclus cinclusResidentUncommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Dec
Mediterranean GullIchthyaetus melanocephalusResidentUncommon37–40 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Dec
GreenshankTringa nebulariaWinter visitorUncommon30–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Dec
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticulaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Dec
Common LoonGavia immerWinter visitorUncommon66–91 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.17% in Dec
KittiwakeRissa tridactylaSummer visitorCommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Dec
Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucosResidentUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Dec
Red-billed ChoughPyrrhocorax pyrrhocoraxSummer visitorCommon39–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Dec
Northern GannetMorus bassanusSummer visitorCommon87–100 cmRegularly Feb–Dec · 0.15% in Dec
Eurasian SkylarkAlauda arvensisSummer visitorCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Dec
Stock DoveColumba oenasResidentUncommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Dec
Western Marsh-harrierCircus aeruginosusResidentUncommon48–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Dec
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.13% in Dec
Eurasian WoodcockScolopax rusticolaWinter visitorUncommon33–38 cmRegularly Nov–Jun · 0.13% in Dec
BlackcapSylvia atricapillaSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Dec
Golden PloverPluvialis apricariaWinter visitorUncommon26–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Dec
Tawny OwlStrix alucoResidentUncommon37–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Dec
Common RedpollAcanthis flammeaResidentUncommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Dec
Great White EgretArdea albaResidentUncommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Dec
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.11% in Dec
FulmarFulmarus glacialisResidentCommon45–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Dec
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Dec
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.10% in Dec
Purple SandpiperCalidris maritimaWinter visitorUncommon20–22 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.10% in Dec
Hen HarrierCircus cyaneusPassage migrantUncommon41–52 cmRegularly Sep–Jan · 0.09% in Dec
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusWinter visitorUncommon31–38 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.09% in Dec
Red KnotCalidris canutusWinter visitorUncommon23–26 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.08% in Dec
RazorbillAlca tordaSummer visitorCommon38–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Dec
Arctic LoonGavia arcticaWinter visitorUncommon58–77 cmRegularly Oct–Feb · 0.07% in Dec
SanderlingCalidris albaResidentUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
EiderSomateria mollissimaResidentUncommon50–71 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Dec
Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponicaResidentUncommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Dec
Green SandpiperTringa ochropusWinter visitorUncommon21–24 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.06% in Dec
Jack SnipeLymnocryptes minimusWinter visitorUncommon17–19 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.06% in Dec
Barn OwlTyto albaResidentUncommon33–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Dec
HawfinchCoccothraustes coccothraustesWinter visitorUncommon17–18 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.06% in Dec
Yellow-legged GullLarus michahellisWinter visitorUncommon52–68 cmRegularly Jun–Mar · 0.06% in Dec
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalisWinter visitorUncommon37–60 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.05% in Dec
Marsh TitPoecile palustrisResidentUncommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Dec
Whooper SwanCygnus cygnusWinter visitorUncommon140–165 cmRegularly Sep–Apr · 0.05% in Dec
Black RedstartPhoenicurus ochrurosWinter visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Oct–May · 0.04% in Dec
Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsisResidentUncommon58–70 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Dec
BramblingFringilla montifringillaWinter visitorUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.04% in Dec
Water PipitAnthus spinolettaWinter visitorRare15–17 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.04% in Dec
Eurasian SpoonbillPlatalea leucorodiaResidentUncommon80–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
Black GuillemotCepphus grylleResidentUncommon30–32 cmRegularly Nov–Sep · 0.03% in Dec
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusResidentUncommon34–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchusWinter visitorUncommon60–75 cmRegularly Sep–Mar · 0.03% in Dec
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinellaResidentUncommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Dec
FirecrestRegulus ignicapillaWinter visitorUncommon9–10 cmRegularly Sep–May · 0.02% in Dec
Velvet ScoterMelanitta fuscaWinter visitorUncommon51–58 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.02% in Dec
Cattle EgretArdea ibisWinter visitorRare46–56 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.02% in Dec
Snow BuntingPlectrophenax nivalisPassage migrantUncommon15–18 cmRegularly Oct–Mar · 0.02% in Dec
AvocetRecurvirostra avosettaResidentUncommon42–45 cmRegularly Nov–Sep · 0.02% in Dec
Greater White-fronted GooseAnser albifronsWinter visitorRare64–81 cmRegularly Nov–Apr · 0.02% in Dec
Red GrouseLagopus scoticaResidentUncommon37–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Dec
Spotted RedshankTringa erythropusWinter visitorUncommon29–31 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.02% in Dec
Eurasian BitternBotaurus stellarisResidentUncommon69–81 cmRegularly Oct–Aug · 0.01% in Dec
TwiteLinaria flavirostrisResidentRare13–14 cmRegularly Oct–Apr · 0.01% in Dec
Willow TitPoecile montanusResidentRare11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Hooded CrowCorvus cornixResidentRare44–51 cmRegularly Nov–Sep · 0.01% in Dec
Mandarin DuckAix galericulataResidentUncommon41–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Great Grey ShrikeLanius excubitorWinter visitorRare22–26 cmRegularly Nov–Mar · 0.01% in Dec
Little GullHydrocoloeus minutusPassage migrantRare25–30 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.01% in Dec
Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufaSummer visitorUncommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Dec
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made