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 162–184 of 203 species
Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosusLC
A year-round resident of Wales's rocky coastlines and wave-splashed shores, foraging among seaweed and rock pools. Often seen on Pembrokeshire and Anglesey cliffs.
Year-round
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
Resident year-round, forming noisy rookeries in farmland trees. Less abundant than in lowland England but widespread in Welsh valleys.
Year-round
Roseate Tern
Sterna dougalliiLC
A rare passage visitor in June and July, occasionally seen off Anglesey and Pembrokeshire coasts alongside other tern species.
Jun–Jul
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpresLC
An uncommon resident of rocky Welsh shores and harbours. Flips stones and seaweed to find invertebrates, often in small flocks along the tideline.
Year-round
Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
A rare passage migrant through Welsh wetlands in spring and autumn, favouring muddy pool edges at coastal marshes and inland reservoirs.
Apr–Oct
Rufous-tailed Rock-thrush
Monticola saxatilisLC
An exceptionally rare vagrant from southern Europe, recorded only as an autumn passage bird in October.
Oct
Sabine's Gull
Xema sabiniLC
A rare but exciting autumn passage migrant, typically driven to Welsh coasts by Atlantic storms in September.
Sep
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
An uncommon summer visitor breeding in sandy riverbanks and quarry faces. Arrives from March and departs by September.
Mar–Sep
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Sanderling
Calidris albaLC
Found year-round on sandy Welsh beaches, running along the tideline in small flocks. Numbers peak during passage and winter months.
Year-round
Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensisLC
An uncommon breeder at scattered coastal colonies, present from March to October. Often seen plunge-diving in shallow coastal waters.
Mar–Oct
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
A summer breeding visitor to Welsh reedbeds and wetland margins from April to September. Its chattering song includes mimicry.
Apr–Sep
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeusLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally seen hunting over Welsh upland moors and coastal marshes, mainly in late autumn and winter.
Dec–Jun
Snow Bunting
Plectrophenax nivalisLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally seen on exposed mountain summits or coastal headlands in November and January. Snowdonia offers the best chances.
Nov–Jan
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelosLC
Common in Welsh gardens, hedgerows and woodlands year-round. Its rich, repetitive song is a familiar sound from early spring.
Year-round
Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLC
An uncommon but widespread resident of woodland and gardens. A stealthy hunter that dashes along hedgerows to surprise small birds.
Year-round
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striataLC
A declining summer visitor to Welsh oak woodlands and edges, arriving in May. Sallies from exposed perches to catch flying insects.
May–Oct
Spotted Redshank
Tringa erythropusLC
A rare visitor to Welsh estuaries, mainly on passage in spring and autumn. Distinguished from Redshank by longer bill and darker plumage in summer.
Aug–Apr
Stock Dove
Columba oenasLC
An uncommon year-round resident in Welsh farmland and parkland, nesting in tree holes. Quieter and less conspicuous than the Woodpigeon.
Year-round
Stonechat
Saxicola torquatusLC
A year-round resident of Welsh gorse-covered hillsides and coastal heaths, perching prominently and flicking its tail.
Year-round
Surf Scoter
Melanitta perspicillataLC
A rare passage visitor to Welsh coastal waters in winter months. Most sightings occur off Cardigan Bay and Anglesey.
Jan–Mar
Tawny Owl
Strix alucoLC
A secretive resident of Welsh woodlands, more often heard than seen. Its familiar hooting call echoes through deciduous and mixed forests year-round.
Year-round
Tree Pipit
Anthus trivialisLC
A scarce summer visitor to Welsh hillside woodlands and bracken edges, delivering its distinctive parachuting song flight.
Apr–Sep
Treecreeper
Certhia familiarisLC
A year-round resident of Welsh oak woodlands, spiralling up tree trunks probing bark for insects with its curved bill.
Year-round