Portbury Wharf’s birds – there are so many. We have the usual garden and hedgerow birds but because we are on the coast we also have lots of visiting wildfowl and waders.
According to the RSPB, 1 in 4 UK birds are now on the Red List of Conservation Concern as numbers have dropped considerably. Eighteen of the birds that we regularly see among Portbury Wharf’s birds are on this red list with another 23 on the amber list (not quite as bad as the red list). Click here to read about the red and amber lists.
What to look out for at Portbury Wharf
Below is what you might see on the reserve, or close by, but of course this is not exhaustive. There will always be unusual visitors to keep an eye out for like avocets and bitterns. We have divided the lists seasonally so you know what you are likely to see and when.
NB birds marked with * or ** may also be “Passage” birds ie passing through at other times of the year
We will be adding photos and more information about each bird in due course. Though with so many species this will be a labour of love and will take a little while to detail all of Portbury Wharf’s birds. So please be patient with us.
You can download our A5 spotting card to take with you to the reserve. You will find it on our Wildlife Monitoring page.
These birds fly from Africa and beyond to spend the summer here. They will nest and raise their families before flying back to warmer climates for the winter.
Name
Where they usually hang out
At risk
Cuckoo
Hedgerows
RED
Hobby
Anywhere
House Martin
Anywhere
AMBER
Lesser Whitethroat
Hedgerows
Reed Warbler
Hedgerows
Sand Martin
Anywhere
Sedge Warbler
Hedgerows
Swallow
Anywhere
Swift
Anywhere
AMBER
Wheatear*
Sea wall and fields
Whimbrel*
Salt Marsh and Pools
RED
Whitethroat
Hedgerows
* these are Passage birds ie on their way through in spring and summer.
These birds fly from northern and arctic regions to spend the winter here. So they will escape the worst of the cold harsh conditions to spend a relatively mild winter here. In spring when the arctic temperatures rise and the light increases they will fly back north to nest.
Name
Where they usually hang out
At risk
Black-tailed Godwit**
Estuary and Pools
RED
Common Snipe
Salt Marsh and Pools
AMBER
Curlew**
Estuary and Pools
RED
Dunlin**
Salt Marsh and Pools
AMBER
Fieldfare
Hedgerows
RED
Grey Wagtail**
Anywhere
RED
Jack Snipe
Salt Marsh and Pools
AMBER
Lapwing
Salt Marsh and Pools
RED
Merlin**
Anywhere
RED
Pochard
Pools
RED
Redwing
Hedgerows
RED
Short-eared Owl**
Anywhere
AMBER
Shoveler
Salt Marsh and Pools
AMBER
Teal
Salt Marsh and Pools
AMBER
Wigeon
Salt Marsh and Pools
AMBER
** these are also “passage” birds ie on their way through in spring and summer
This morning at sunrise I watched 18 lapwing lift off from the North Pool. Once upon a time you would have seen flocks of a hundred strong. Sadly over the last 20 or so years, numbers have fallen… Read More
Look out for the winter birds: From August on wards lots of birds migrate here to escape the harsh northern winters. These winter birds will stay until the spring before heading back up to breed so in the… Read More
Portbury Wharf’s Birds
Home > Portbury Wharf’s Wildlife > Portbury Wharf’s Birds
Portbury Wharf’s birds – there are so many. We have the usual garden and hedgerow birds but because we are on the coast we also have lots of visiting wildfowl and waders.
According to the RSPB, 1 in 4 UK birds are now on the Red List of Conservation Concern as numbers have dropped considerably. Eighteen of the birds that we regularly see among Portbury Wharf’s birds are on this red list with another 23 on the amber list (not quite as bad as the red list). Click here to read about the red and amber lists.
What to look out for at Portbury Wharf
Below is what you might see on the reserve, or close by, but of course this is not exhaustive. There will always be unusual visitors to keep an eye out for like avocets and bitterns. We have divided the lists seasonally so you know what you are likely to see and when.
What you may see at anytime of the year
What you will only see in the spring or summer
What you will only see in the winter
NB birds marked with * or ** may also be “Passage” birds ie passing through at other times of the year
We will be adding photos and more information about each bird in due course. Though with so many species this will be a labour of love and will take a little while to detail all of Portbury Wharf’s birds. So please be patient with us.
You can download our A5 spotting card to take with you to the reserve. You will find it on our Wildlife Monitoring page.
Birds you could see at any time of the year
The Summer Birds
These birds fly from Africa and beyond to spend the summer here. They will nest and raise their families before flying back to warmer climates for the winter.
* these are Passage birds ie on their way through in spring and summer.
The Winter Birds
These birds fly from northern and arctic regions to spend the winter here. So they will escape the worst of the cold harsh conditions to spend a relatively mild winter here. In spring when the arctic temperatures rise and the light increases they will fly back north to nest.
** these are also “passage” birds ie on their way through in spring and summer
Bird Posts
Gordano Valley Lapwings
This morning at sunrise I watched 18 lapwing lift off from the North Pool. Once upon a time you would have seen flocks of a hundred strong. Sadly over the last 20 or so years, numbers have fallen… Read More
Winter Birds
Look out for the winter birds: From August on wards lots of birds migrate here to escape the harsh northern winters. These winter birds will stay until the spring before heading back up to breed so in the… Read More