Birds in Wales
Explore 203 species found in this region.
Wales is home to an impressive diversity of birdlife, with 199 recorded species found across its rugged coastlines, estuaries, upland moors, and ancient woodlands. From wintering wildfowl such as the Pink-footed Goose and Northern Pintail on coastal wetlands to woodland favourites like the Great Tit and Eurasian Woodcock, the country offers exceptional birding opportunities year-round. Wales's varied habitats also support notable waders including the Northern Lapwing and Common Sandpiper, alongside more unexpected residents such as the Mandarin Duck.
Visiting in April? Look out for Atlantic Puffin and Barnacle Goose arriving this month, and Black Redstart and Brambling depart for the season.
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Get Your Free DigestShowing 93–115 of 203 species
Grey Heron
Ardea cinereaLC
A common and familiar resident found along rivers, lakes and estuaries. Nests in heronries in tall trees across Wales.
Year-round
Grey Phalarope
Phalaropus fulicariusLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, usually storm-blown to Welsh coasts in September and October. Most records come from sheltered harbours.
Sep–Oct
Grey Plover
Pluvialis squatarolaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to Welsh estuaries and mudflats, mainly from autumn to spring. Look for its distinctive black 'armpit' patches in flight.
Sep–Apr
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinereaLC
Found year-round along Welsh streams and rivers, constantly bobbing its long tail. Sometimes moves to lowland areas in winter.
Year-round
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
An uncommon year-round resident found on lakes, reservoirs, and estuaries. Both feral and semi-wild populations occur across lowland Wales.
Year-round
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC
A rare and elusive non-breeding visitor, occasionally seen in mature broadleaved woodlands. The Wye Valley remains one of the best areas in Wales to find this shy finch.
Nov–Mar
Hen Harrier
Circus cyaneusLC
A rare winter visitor to lowland marshes and moorland edges. Quarters the ground with a distinctive buoyant, tilting flight.
Nov–Feb
Hobby
Falco subbuteoLC
A rare summer breeder arriving in May, favouring lowland areas near wetlands. This agile falcon hunts dragonflies and small birds on the wing.
May–Sep
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Hooded Crow
Corvus cornixLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded in spring and late summer. Wales lies well outside its usual range in Scotland and Ireland.
Apr–Aug
Horned Grebe
Podiceps auritusVU
A rare winter visitor to sheltered bays and estuaries from November to March. Best looked for in Anglesey and Cardigan Bay.
Nov–Mar
House Martin
Delichon urbicumLC
A common summer breeder, arriving in April and nesting under the eaves of Welsh buildings. Numbers have declined significantly in recent years.
Apr–Oct
House Sparrow
Passer domesticusLC
A familiar year-round resident of Welsh towns and villages, nesting colonially under roof tiles and in building crevices.
Year-round
Jack Snipe
Lymnocryptes minimusLC
A rare and secretive winter visitor to Welsh bogs and marshy edges. Often sits tight and flushes at close range, flying with a weak, fluttering action.
Nov–Jan
Jackdaw
Coloeus monedulaLC
A common and sociable resident, nesting in old buildings, church towers and tree cavities across Welsh towns and farmland.
Year-round
Kestrel
Falco tinnunculusLC
An uncommon resident often seen hovering over Welsh roadsides, farmland, and upland fringes. Numbers have declined in recent decades.
Year-round
Kittiwake
Rissa tridactylaVU
Breeds on sea cliffs in Pembrokeshire and Anglesey but declining significantly. Present year-round, dispersing offshore in winter.
Year-round
Leach's Storm-petrel
Hydrobates leucorhousVU
A rare September passage visitor, most often seen during strong westerly gales that push birds close to headlands and harbours.
Sep
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscusLC
A common resident breeding on rooftops and islands. Large colonies exist on Skomer and Skokholm in Pembrokeshire.
Year-round
Lesser Whitethroat
Curruca currucaLC
A rare breeding visitor to tall hedgerows and scrub, mainly in eastern Wales. Present from April to September.
Apr–Sep
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
Found year-round on gorse-covered hillsides, coastal scrub, and farmland edges. Forms sociable flocks in winter, often along the Welsh coast.
Year-round
Little Egret
Egretta garzettaLC
Now a common resident after rapid colonisation since the 1990s, found along Welsh estuaries, rivers, and coastal marshes year-round.
Year-round
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollisLC
A resident of sheltered lakes, ponds and slow rivers throughout the year. Often heard before seen, giving a distinctive whinnying trill.
Year-round
Little Gull
Hydrocoloeus minutusLC
A rare and dainty passage gull, occasionally spotted off Welsh coasts in September, often among flocks of other gulls and terns.
Sep