Cumbria Bird List

This page contains a complete bird species list for Cumbria in May 2022 with Long-toed Stint added in July 2022.

The following list is also available as a Cumbria Bird List spreadsheet (without Long-toed Stint).

See below for the recording and breeding category definitions.

Brent Goose	Branta bernicla
	‒ ‒ nigricans	R	Rare winter visitor
	‒ ‒ bernicla	F	Fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant
	‒ ‒ hrota	F	Fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant
Red-breasted Goose	Branta ruficollis	V	Vagrant
Canada Goose	Branta canadensis
	‒ ‒ interior/parvipes	R	Rare winter visitor
	‒ ‒ canadensis	C	Common resident and summer visitor primarily to moult. Breeds in small numbers
Barnacle Goose	Branta leucopsis	A	Abundant winter visitor
Cackling Goose	Branta hutchinsii	V	Vagrant
Greylag Goose	Anser anser	C	Common resident, winter visitor and summer visitor primarily to moult. Breeds in moderate numbers
Taiga Bean Goose	Anser fabilis	V	Vagrant
Pink-footed Goose	Anser brachyrhynchus	A	Abundant winter visitor and passage migrant
Tundra Bean Goose	Anser serrirostris	R	Rare winter visitor and passage migrant
White-fronted Goose	Anser albifrons	U	Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant
	‒ ‒ flavirostris
	‒ ‒ albifrons
Lesser White-fronted Goose	Anser erythropus	V	Vagrant
Mute Swan	Cygnus olor	F	Fairly common resident. Breeds in small numbers
Bewick’s Swan	Cygnus columbianus	R	Rare winter visitor and passage migrant
Whooper Swan	Cygnus cygnus	F	Fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant
Shelduck	Tadorna tadorna	C	Common resident, abundant summer visitor and winter visitor. Breeds in moderate numbers
Mandarin Duck	Aix galericulata	U	Uncommon introduced resident and escape. Breeds in very small numbers
Garganey	Spatula querquedula	U	Uncommon passage migrant
Blue-winged Teal	Spatula discors	V	Vagrant
Shoveler	Spatula clypeata	U	Uncommon resident and fairly common winter visitor. Breeds in very small numbers
Gadwall	Mareca strepera	F	Fairly common resident passage migrant and winter visitor. Breeds in very small numbers
Wigeon	Mareca penelope	U	Uncommon resident, abundant winter visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in very small numbers
American Wigeon	Mareca americana	R	Rare visitor
Mallard	Anas platyrhynchos	A	Abundant resident and winter visitor, some introduced. Breeds in large numbers
Pintail	Anas acuta	C	Common winter visitor and passage migrantOccasional breeder
Teal	Anas crecca	C	Fairly common resident, common passage migrant and winter visitor. Breeds in small numbers
Green-winged Teal	Anas carolinensis	V	Vagrant
Pochard	Aythya ferina	U	Uncommon resident, common passage migrant and winter visitor. Breeds in very small numbers
Ferruginous Duck	Aythya nyroca	V	Vagrant
Ring-necked Duck	Aythya collaris	R	Rare visitor
Tufted Duck	Aythya fuligula	C	Common resident and winter visitor. Breeds in moderate numbers
Scaup	Aythya marila	F	Fairly common winter visitor and occasional in summer
Lesser Scaup	Aythya affinis	V	Vagrant
King Eider	Somateria spectabilis	V	Vagrant
Eider	Somateria mollissima	C	Common resident. Breeds in moderate numbers
Surf Scoter	Melanitta perspicillata	V	Vagrant
Velvet Scoter	Melanitta fusca	S	Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant
Common Scoter	Melanitta nigra	F	Fairly common passage migrant, uncommon in winter
Long-tailed Duck	Clangula hyemalis	U	Uncommon winter visitor
Goldeneye	Bucephala clangula	C	Common winter visitor and passage migrant, occasional in summer
Smew	Mergellus albellus	S	Scarce winter visitor
Goosander	Mergus merganser	C	Common resident and winter visitor. Breeds in moderate numbers
Red-breasted Merganser	Mergus serrator	F	Fairly common resident and common winter visitor. Breeds in small numbers
Ruddy Duck	Oxyura jamaicensis	R	Rare resident Former breeder
Red Grouse	Lagopus lagopus	C	Common resident. Breeds in large numbers
Black Grouse	Lyrurus tetrix	F	Fairly common resident. Breeds in small numbers
Grey Partridge	Perdix perdix	F	Fairly common resident, some introduced. Breeds in moderate numbers
Pheasant	Phasianus colchicus	A	Abundant resident, large numbers introduced. Breeds in large numbers
Quail	Coturnix coturnix	F	Fairly common summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds occasionally
Red-legged Partridge	Alectoris rufa	C	Common resident, many introduced. Breeds in small numbers
Nightjar	Caprimulgus europaeus	U	Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in very small numbers
Alpine Swift	Tachymarptis melba	V	Vagrant
Swift	Apus apus	C	Common summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in moderate numbers
Great Bustard	Otis tarda	V	Vagrant
Cuckoo	Cuculus canorus	C	Common summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in moderate numbers
Pallas’s Sandgrouse	Syrrhaptes paradoxus	V	Vagrant
Rock Dove & Feral Pigeon	Columba livia	C	Common resident, some introduced. Breeds in large numbers
Stock Dove	Columba oenas	C	Common resident and winter visitor. Breeds in large numbers
Woodpigeon	Columba palumbus	A	Abundant resident and winter visitor. Breeds in very large numbers
Turtle Dove	Streptopelia turtur	R	Rare passage migrant
Collared Dove	Streptopelia decaocto	A	Abundant resident. Breeds in large numbers
Water Rail	Rallus aquaticus	U	Uncommon resident and winter visitor. Breeds in small numbers
Corncrake	Crex crex	R	Rare passage migrant Former breeder
Spotted Crake	Porzana porzana	V	Vagrant
Moorhen	Gallinula chloropus	A	Abundant resident. Breeds in large numbers
Coot	Fulica atra	C	Common resident and winter visitor. Breeds in moderate numbers
American Coot	Fulica americana	V	Vagrant
Baillon’s Crake	Zapornia pusilla	V	Vagrant
Little Crake	Zapornia parva	V	Vagrant
Crane	Grus grus	R	Rare
Little Grebe	Tachybaptus ruficollis	F	Fairly common resident and winter visitor. Breeds in small numbers
Pied-billed Grebe	Podilymbus podiceps	V	Vagrant
Red-necked Grebe	Podiceps grisegena	S	Scarce winter visitor
Great Crested Grebe	Podiceps cristatus	F	Fairly common resident and winter visitor. Breeds in small numbers
Slavonian Grebe	Podiceps auritus	S	Scarce winter visitor
Black-necked Grebe	Podiceps nigricollis	R	Rare winter visitor
Stone-curlew	Burhinus oedicnemus	V	Vagrant
Oystercatcher	Haematopus ostralegus	A	Abundant resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in large numbers
Black-winged Stilt	Himantopus Himantopus	V	Vagrant
Avocet	Recurvirostra avosetta	U	Uncommon summer visitor. Breeds in very small numbers
Lapwing	Vanellus Vanellus	A	Abundant resident, summer visitor, winter visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in moderate numbers
Golden Plover	Pluvialis apricaria	F/A	Fairly common resident and abundant winter visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in moderate numbers
Pacific Golden Plover	Pluvialis fulva	V	Vagrant
American Golden Plover	Pluvialis dominica	V	Vagrant
Grey Plover	Pluvialis squatarola	F	Fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant
Ringed Plover	Charadrius hiaticula	F	Fairly common resident, common winter visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in small numbers
	‒ ‒ psammodromus	Passage migrant
	‒ ‒ hiaticula
Little Ringed Plover	Charadrius dubius	U	Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in very small numbers
Kentish Plover	Charadrius alexandrines	V	Vagrant
Greater Sand Plover	Charadrius leschenaultia	V	Vagrant
Dotterel	Charadrius morinellus	U	Uncommon passage migrant and rare summer visitor. Breeds occasionally
Whimbrel	Numenius phaeopus	F	Fairly common passage migrant
Hudsonian Whimbrel	Numenius hudsonicus	V	Vagrant
Curlew	Numenius arquata	C/A	Common resident, summer visitor and abundant winter visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in small numbers
Bar-tailed Godwit	Limosa lapponica	F	Fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant
Black-tailed Godwit	Limosa limosa	F	Fairly common passage migrant and uncommon winter visitor Former breeder
	‒ ‒ islandica	Passage migrant
	‒ ‒ limosa
Turnstone	Arenaria interpres	C	Common winter visitor and passage migrant, fairly common in summer
Knot	Calidris canutus	A	Abundant winter visitor and passage migrant, uncommon in summer
Ruff	Calidris pugnax	U/S	Uncommon passage migrant and scarce winter visitor
Broad-billed Sandpiper	Calidris falcinellus	V	Vagrant
Stilt Sandpiper	Calidris Himantopus	V	Vagrant
Curlew Sandpiper	Calidris ferruginea	U	Uncommon passage migrant
Temminck’s Stint	Calidris temminckii	V	Vagrant
Long-toed Stint	Calidris subminuta	V	Vagrant
Sanderling	Calidris alba	C	Common winter visitor and passage migrant
Dunlin	Calidris alpina	U/A	Uncommon resident and abundant winter visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in very small numbers
	‒ ‒ schinzii
	‒ ‒ alpina
	‒ ‒ artica
Purple Sandpiper	Calidris maritima	F	Fairly common winter visitor
Baird’s Sandpiper	Calidris bairdii	V	Vagrant
Little Stint	Calidris minuta	U	Uncommon passage migrant and scarce winter visitor
White-rumped Sandpiper	Calidris fuscicollis	V	Vagrant
Buff-breasted Sandpiper	Calidris subruficollis	R	Rare visitor
Pectoral Sandpiper	Calidris melanotos	S	Scarce passage migrant
Semipalmated Sandpiper	Calidris pusilla	V	Vagrant
Long-billed Dowitcher	Limnodromus scolopaceus	R	Rare visitor
Woodcock	Scolopax rusticola	C	Common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in moderate numbers
Jack Snipe	Lymnocryptes minimus	U	Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant
Great Snipe	Gallinago media	V	Vagrant
Snipe	Gallinago gallinago	C/A	Common resident and abundant winter visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in large numbers
Terek Sandpiper	Xenus cinereus	V	Vagrant
Wilson’s Phalarope	Phalaropus tricolor	V	Vagrant
Red-necked Phalarope	Phalaropus lobatus	R	Rare passage migrant
Grey Phalarope	Phalaropus fulicarius	R	Rare passage migrant
Common Sandpiper	Actitis hypoleucos	C	Common summer visitor and passage migrant, scarce in winter. Breeds in moderate numbers
Spotted Sandpiper	Actitis macularius	V	Vagrant
Green Sandpiper	Tringa ochropus	U	Uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor
Lesser Yellowlegs	Tringa flavipes	V	Vagrant
Redshank	Tringa totanus	F/A	Fairly common resident, summer visitor and abundant winter visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in moderate numbers
	‒ ‒ totanus
	‒ ‒ robusta
Wood Sandpiper	Tringa glareola	S	Scarce passage migrant
Spotted Redshank	Tringa erythropus	U	Uncommon passage migrant, scarce in winter
Greenshank	Tringa nebularia	F	Fairly common passage migrant and uncommon winter visitor
Greater Yellowlegs	Tringa melanoleuca	V	Vagrant
Cream-coloured Courser	Cursorius cursor	V	Vagrant
Black-winged Pratincole	Glareola nordmanni	V	Vagrant
Kittiwake	Rissa tridactyla	C	Common summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in moderate numbers
Ivory Gull	Pagophila eburnean	V	Vagrant
Sabine’s Gull	Xema sabini	R	Rare passage migrant
Black-headed Gull	Chroicocephalus ridibundus	A	Abundant resident, summer visitor, winter visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in large numbers
Little Gull	Hydrocoloeus minutus	U	Uncommon winter visitor passage migrant
Ross’s Gull	Rhodostethia rosea	V	Vagrant
Laughing Gull	Leucophaeus atricilla	V	Vagrant
Mediterranean Gull	Ichthyaetus melanocephalus	F	Fairly common passage migrant and winter visitor. Breeds occasionally
Common Gull	Larus canus	A	Abundant winter visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in very small numbers
Ring-billed Gull	Larus delawarensis	V	Vagrant
Great Black-backed Gull	Larus marinus	F	Fairly common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in small numbers
Glaucous Gull	Larus hyperboreus	S	Scarce winter visitor
Iceland Gull	Larus glaucoides	S	Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant
Herring Gull	Larus argentatus	A	Abundant resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in moderate numbers
	‒ ‒ argenteus
	‒ ‒ argentatus
Caspian Gull	Larus cachinnans	V	Vagrant
Yellow-legged Gull	Larus michahellis	R	Rare passage migrant and winter visitor
Lesser Black-backed Gull	Larus fuscus	A	Abundant summer visitor and passage migrant and overwintering bird. Breeds in large numbers
	‒ ‒ graellsii
	‒ ‒ intermedius	Passage migrant
Caspian Tern	Hydroprogne caspia	V	Vagrant
Sandwich Tern	Thalasseus sandvicensis	C	Common summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in moderate numbers
Little Tern	Sternula albifrons	F	Fairly common summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in small numbers
Bridled Tern	Onychoprion anaethetus	V	Vagrant
Sooty Tern	Onychoprion fuscatus	V	Vagrant
Roseate Tern	Sterna dougallii	R	Rare passage migrant Former breeder
Common Tern	Sterna hirundo	F	Fairly common summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in small numbers
Arctic Tern	Sterna paradisaea	F	Fairly common summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in small numbers
Whiskered Tern	Chlidonias hybrida	V	Vagrant
White-winged Black Tern	Chlidonias leucopterus	V	Vagrant
Black Tern	Chlidonias niger	S	Scarce passage migrant
Great Skua	Stercorarius skua	U	Uncommon passage migrant, scarce in winter
Pomarine Skua	Stercorarius pomarinus	F	Fairly common passage migrant, rare in winter
Arctic Skua	Stercorarius parasiticus	F	Fairly common passage migrant, scarce in winter
Long-tailed Skua	Stercorarius longicaudus	U	Uncommon passage migrant
Little Auk	Alle alle	R	Rare winter visitor
Common Guillemot	Uria aalge	A	Abundant summer visitor and fairly common passage migrant and winter visitor. Breeds in large numbers
	‒ ‒ aalge
	‒ ‒ albionis
Razorbill	Alca torda	F	Fairly common summer visitor, common passage migrant and uncommon winter visitor
Black Guillemot	Cepphus grylle	U	Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant, scarce in winter. Breeds in very small numbers
Puffin	Fratercula arctica	U	Fairly common summer visitor and passage migrant, scarce in winter. Breeds in very small numbers
Red-throated Diver	Gavia stellata	F	Fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant
Black-throated Diver	Gavia arctica	S	Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant
Great Northern Diver	Gavia immer	U	Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant
White-billed Diver	Gavia adamsii	V	Vagrant
Wilson’s Petrel	Oceanites oceanicus	V	Vagrant
Storm Petrel	Hydrobates pelagicus	U	Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant
Leach’s Petrel	Oceanodroma leucorhoa	S	Scarce passage migrant
Fulmar	Fulmarus glacialis	F	Fairly common summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in small numbers
Cory’s Shearwater	Calonectris borealis	V	Vagrant
Sooty Shearwater	Ardenna grisea	V	Vagrant
Great Shearwater	Ardenna gravis	V	Vagrant
Manx Shearwater	Puffinus puffinus	C	Common offshore summer visitor and passage migrant
Balearic Shearwater	Puffinus mauretanicus	V	Vagrant
Black Stork	Ciconia nigra	V	Vagrant
White Stork	Ciconia Ciconia	V	Vagrant
Gannet	Morus bassanus	C	Common summer visitor and passage migrant
Cormorant	Phalacrocorax carbo	C	Common resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in small numbers
	‒ ‒ carbo
	‒ ‒ sinensis
Shag	Phalacrocorax aristotelis	U	Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant
Glossy Ibis	Plegadis falcinellus	R	Rare visitor
Spoonbill	Platalea leucorodia	S	Scarce passage migrant Bred in 2021
Bittern	Botaurus stellaris	S	Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor
Little Bittern	Ixobrychus minutus	V	Vagrant
Night-heron	Nycticorax Nycticorax	V	Vagrant
Squacco Heron	Ardeola ralloides	V	Vagrant
Cattle Egret	Bubulcus ibis	R	Rare visitor
Grey Heron	Ardea cinerea	F	Fairly common resident. Breeds in small numbers
Purple Heron	Ardea purpurea	V	Vagrant
Great White Egret	Ardea alba	U	Uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor
Little Egret	Egretta garzetta	F	Fairly common resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. Breeds in small numbers
Osprey	Pandion haliaetus	U	Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in very small numbers
Honey-buzzard	Pernis apivorus	S	Scarce summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in very small numbers
Golden Eagle	Aquila chrysaetos	R	Rare visitor Former breeder
Sparrowhawk	Accipiter nisus	C	Common resident. Breeds in moderate numbers
Goshawk	Accipiter gentilis	U	Uncommon resident. Breeds in very small numbers
Marsh Harrier	Circus aeruginosus	U	Uncommon passage migrant Former breeder, bred in 2017
Hen Harrier	Circus cyaneus	U	Uncommon resident, winter visitor. Breeds in very small numbers
Pallid Harrier	Circus macrourus	V	Vagrant
Montagu’s Harrier	Circus pygargus	V	Vagrant
Red Kite	Milvus milvus	U	Uncommon resident, re-introduced. Breeds in very small numbers
Black Kite	Milvus migrans	V	Vagrant
White-tailed Eagle	Haliaeetus albicilla	R	Rare visitor
Rough-legged Buzzard	Buteo lagopus	R	Rare winter passage migrant
Buzzard	Buteo buteo	C	Common resident. Breeds in large numbers
Barn Owl	Tyto alba	F	Fairly common resident. Breeds in small numbers
Tengmalm’s Owl	Aegolius funereus	V	Vagrant
Little Owl	Athene noctua	U	Uncommon resident. Breeds in small numbers
Scops Owl	Otus scops	V	Vagrant
Long-eared Owl	Asio otus	U	Uncommon resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in very small numbers
Short-eared Owl	Asio flammeus	U	Uncommon resident, fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in small numbers
Snowy Owl	Bubo scandiacus	V	Vagrant
Tawny Owl	Strix aluco	C	Common resident. Breeds in large numbers
Hoopoe	Upupa epops	R	Rare visitor
Roller	Coracias garrulus	V	Vagrant
Kingfisher	Alcedo atthis	U	Uncommon resident. Breeds in small numbers
Bee-eater	Merops apiaster	R	Rare passage migrant Bred in 2015
Wryneck	Jynx torquilla	R	Rare visitor
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker	Dryobates minor	R	Rare visitor Former breeder
Great Spotted Woodpecker	Dendrocopos major	C	Common resident. Breeds in large numbers
Green Woodpecker	Picus viridis	F	Fairly common resident. Breeds in moderate numbers
Kestrel	Falco tinnunculus	C	Common resident and winter visitor. Breeds in moderate numbers
Red-footed Falcon	Falco vespertinus	V	Vagrant
Merlin	Falco columbarius	U	Uncommon resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. Breeds in small numbers
Hobby	Falco subbuteo	U	Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant
Gyr Falcon	Falco rusticolus	V	Vagrant
Peregrine	Falco peregrinus	F	Fairly common resident. Breeds in small numbers
Red-backed Shrike	Lanius collurio	V	Vagrant
Daurian Shrike	Lanius isabellinus	V	Vagrant
Great Grey Shrike	Lanius excubitor
	‒ ‒ excubitor	S	Scarce winter visitor
	‒ ‒ pallidirostris	V	Vagrant
Woodchat Shrike	Lanius senator	V	Vagrant
Red-eyed Vireo	Vireo olivaceus	V	Vagrant
Golden Oriole	Oriolus oriolus	R	Rare passage migrant
Jay	Garrulus glandarius	C	Common resident. Breeds in moderate numbers
Magpie	Pica pica	A	Abundant resident. Breeds in large numbers
Nutcracker	Nucifraga caryocatactes	V	Vagrant
Chough	Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax	R	Rare visitor
Jackdaw	Coloeus monedula	A	Abundant resident. Breeds in very large numbers
Rook	Corvus frugilegus	A	Abundant resident. Breeds in very large numbers
Carrion Crow	Corvus corone	A	Abundant resident. Breeds in very large numbers
Hooded Crow	Corvus cornix	U	Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant
Raven	Corvus corax	F	Fairly common resident. Breeds in small numbers
Waxwing	Bombycilla garrulus	I	Irruptive winter visitor
Coal Tit	Periparus ater	A	Abundant resident. Breeds in large numbers
Marsh Tit	Poecile palustris	F	Fairly common resident. Breeds in moderate numbers
Willow Tit	Poecile montanus	U	Uncommon resident. Breeds in very small numbers
Blue Tit	Cyanistes caeruleus	A	Abundant resident. Breeds in very large numbers
Great Tit	Parus major	A	Abundant resident. Breeds in very large numbers
Bearded Tit	Panurus biarmicus	V	Vagrant
Woodlark	Lullula arborea	V	Vagrant
Skylark	Alauda arvensis	A	Abundant resident, summer visitor, winter visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in large numbers
Shore Lark	Eremophila alpestris	V	Vagrant
Sand Martin	Riparia riparia	C	Common summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in large numbers
Swallow	Hirundo rustica	A	Abundant summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in very large numbers
House Martin	Delichon urbicum	A	Abundant summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in very large numbers
Red-rumped Swallow	Cecropis daurica	V	Vagrant
Cetti’s Warbler	Cettia cetti	S	Scarce visitor
Long-tailed Tit	Aegithalos caudatus	A	Abundant resident. Breeds in large numbers
	‒ ‒ rosaceus
	‒ ‒ caudatus
Wood Warbler	Phylloscopus sibilatrix	F	Fairly common summer visitor. Breeds in moderate numbers
Western Bonelli’s Warbler	Phylloscopus bonelli	V	Vagrant
Hume’s Warbler	Phylloscopus humei	V	Vagrant
Yellow-browed Warbler	Phylloscopus inornatus	U	Uncommon autumn passage migrant, has wintered
Pallas’s Warbler	Phylloscopus proregulus	V	Vagrant
Dusky Warbler	Phylloscopus fuscatus	V	Vagrant
Willow Warbler	Phylloscopus trochilus	A	Abundant summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in very large numbers
Chiffchaff	Phylloscopus collybita
	‒ ‒ collybita	A	Abundant summer visitor and passage migrant, scarce in winter. Breeds in very large numbers
	‒ ‒ tristis	V	Vagrant
Greenish Warbler	Phylloscopus trochiloides	V	Vagrant
Sedge Warbler	Acrocephalus schoenobaenus	C	Common summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in large numbers
Paddyfield Warbler	Acrocephalus Agricola	V	Vagrant
Blyth’s Reed Warbler	Acrocephalus dumetorum	V	Vagrant
Reed Warbler	Acrocephalus scirpaceus	U	Uncommon summer visitor. Breeds in small numbers
Marsh Warbler	Acrocephalus palustris	V	Vagrant
Booted Warbler	Iduna caligata	V	Vagrant
Melodious Warbler	Hippolais polyglotta	V	Vagrant
Icterine Warbler	Hippolais icterina	V	Vagrant
Grasshopper Warbler	Locustella naevia	F	Fairly common summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in moderate numbers
Blackcap	Sylvia atricapilla	A	Abundant summer visitor, passage migrant and scarce winter visitor. Breeds in large numbers
Garden Warbler	Sylvia borin	A	Abundant summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in large numbers
Barred Warbler	Curruca nisoria	V	Vagrant
Lesser Whitethroat	Curruca curruca	F	Fairly common summer visitor. Breeds in moderate numbers
Eastern Subalpine Warbler	Curruca cantillans	V	Vagrant
Whitethroat	Curruca communis	A	Abundant summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in large numbers
Dartford Warbler	Curruca undata	V	Vagrant
Firecrest	Regulus ignicapilla	S	Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant
Goldcrest	Regulus regulus	A	Abundant resident and passage migrant. Breeds in large numbers
Wren	Troglodytes troglodytes	A	Abundant resident. Breeds in very large numbers
Nuthatch	Sitta europaea	C	Common resident. Breeds in moderate numbers
Treecreeper	Certhia familiaris	C	Common resident. Breeds in large numbers
Rose-coloured Starling	Pastor roseus	R	Rare passage migrant
Starling	Sturnus vulgaris	A	Abundant resident, summer visitor and winter visitor. Breeds in very large numbers
	‒ ‒ vulgaris
	‒ ‒ zetlandicus
Song Thrush	Turdus philomelos	A	Abundant resident, summer visitor, winter visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in very large numbers
	‒ ‒ clarkei
	‒ ‒ philomelos
Mistle Thrush	Turdus viscivorus	A	Abundant resident, summer visitor, winter visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in large numbers
Redwing	Turdus iliacus	A	Abundant winter visitor and passage migrant
Blackbird	Turdus merula	A	Abundant resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in very large numbers
Fieldfare	Turdus pilaris	A	Abundant winter visitor and passage migrant
Ring Ouzel	Turdus torquatus	F	Fairly comon summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in moderate mumbers
Spotted Flycatcher	Muscicapa striata	A	Abundant summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in large numbers
Robin	Erithacus rubecula	A	Abundant resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in very large numbers
Bluethroat	Luscinia svecica	R	Rare passage migrant
Nightingale	Luscinia megarhynchos	V	Vagrant
Red-breasted Flycatcher	Ficedula parva	V	Vagrant
Pied Flycatcher	Ficedula hypoleuca	C	Common summer visitor. Breeds in large numbers
Collared Flycatcher	Ficedula albicollis	V	Vagrant
Black Redstart	Phoenicurus ochruros	U	Uncommon passage migrant and scarce winter visitor
Redstart	Phoenicurus Phoenicurus	C	Common summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in large numbers
Whinchat	Saxicola rubetra	F	Fairly common summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in moderate numbers
Stonechat	Saxicola rubicola	F	Fairly common resident, summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in moderate numbers
Wheatear	Oenanthe oenanthe
	‒ ‒ oenanthe	A	Abundant summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in very large numbers
	‒ ‒ leucorhoa	S	scarce passage migrant
Isabelline Wheatear	Oenanthe isabelline	V	Vagrant
Desert Wheatear	Oenanthe deserti	V	Vagrant
Dipper	Cinclus cinclus	C	Common resident. Breeds in moderate numbers
Tree Sparrow	Passer montanus	C	Common resident and passage migrant. Breeds in large numbers
Spanish Sparrow	Passer hispaniolensis	V	Vagrant
House Sparrow	Passer domesticus	A	Abundant resident. Breeds in very large numbers
Dunnock	Prunella modularis	A	Abundant resident. Breeds in very large numbers
Yellow Wagtail	Motacilla flava
	‒ ‒ flavissima	U	Uncommon summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in very small numbers
	‒ ‒ flava	R	Rare visitor
Citrine Wagtail	Motacilla citreola	V	Vagrant
Grey Wagtail	Motacilla cinerea	C	Common resident, summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in large numbers
Pied Wagtail	Motacilla alba
	‒ ‒ yarrellii	A	Abundant resident, summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in very large numbers
	‒ ‒ alba	F	Fairly common passage migrant
Richard’s Pipit	Anthus richardi	V	Vagrant
Tawny Pipit	Anthus campestris	V	Vagrant
Meadow Pipit	Anthus pratensis	A	Abundant resident, summer visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in very large numbers
Tree Pipit	Anthus trivialis	C	Common summer visitor Breeds in large numbers
Water Pipit	Anthus spinoletta	R	Rare winter visitor and passage migrant
Rock Pipit	Anthus petrosus
	‒ ‒ petrosus	U	Uncommon resident and fairly common winter visitor. Breeds in small numbers
	‒ ‒ littoralis	V	Vagrant
Chaffinch	Fringilla coelebs	A	Abundant resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in very large numbers
	‒ ‒ gengleri
	‒ ‒ coelebs
Brambling	Fringilla montfringilla	C	Common winter visitor and passage migrant
Hawfinch	Coccothraustes coccothraustes	U	Uncommon resident and winter visitor. Breeds in small numbers
Bullfinch	Pyrrhula pyrrhula	C	Common resident and uncommon winter visitor. Breeds in moderate numbers
Common Rosefinch	Carpodacus erythrina	V	Vagrant
Greenfinch	Chloris chloris	A	Abundant resident, summer visitor, passage migrant and winter visitor. Breeds in very large numbers
Twite	Linaria flavirostris	U	Uncommon resident, fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant. Breeds in very small numbers
Linnet	Linaria cannabina	A	Abundant resident, summer visitor, passage migrant and winter visitor. Breeds in very large numbers
Common Redpoll	Acanthis flammea	V	Vagrant
Lesser Redpoll	Acanthis cabaret	C	Abundant resident, summer visitor, passage migrant and winter visitor. Breeds in large numbers
Arctic Redpoll	Acanthis hornemanni	V	Vagrant
Parrot Crossbill	Loxia pytyopsittacus	V	Vagrant
Crossbill	Loxia curvirostra	U	Uncommon resident, irruptive passage migrant and winter visitor. Breeds in small numbers
Two-barred Crossbill	Loxia leucoptera	V	Vagrant
Goldfinch	Carduelis carduelis	A	Abundant resident and summer visitor. Breeds in very large numbers
Serin	Serinus serinus	V	Vagrant
Siskin	Spinus spinus	C	Common resident, summer visitor, passage migrant and winter visitor. Breeds in large numbers
Lapland Bunting	Calcarius lapponicus	R	Rare winter visitor and passage migrant
Snow Bunting	Plectrophenax nivalis	F	Fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant
	‒ ‒ nivalis
	‒ ‒ insulae
Corn Bunting	Miliaria calandra	R	Rare visitor Former widespread breeder
Yellowhammer	Emberiza citronella	A	Abundant resident. Breeds in large numbers
Ortolan Bunting	Emberiza hortulana	V	Vagrant
Cirl Bunting	Emberiza cirlus	V	Vagrant
Little Bunting	Emberiza pusilla	V	Vagrant
Rustic Bunting	Emberiza rustica	V	Vagrant
Reed Bunting	Emberiza schoeniclus	C	Common resident. Breeds in moderate numbers
White-throated Sparrow	Zonotrichia albicollis	V	Vagrant

Record Recording Categories 2021

The Record Recording Categories are derived from the numbers of records of each species in the decade 2011 – 2020 using the usual 10-year rolling assessment. It is important to note that these definitions do not represent an accurate measure of the abundance of species. It is our ambition to work towards determining meaningful assessments of the abundance of both species and breeding numbers for the county.

These are most meaningful for the Vagrant, Rare and Scarce categories and become progressively less meaningful through the Uncommon, Fairly Common, Common to Abundant categories. The data from which these numbers of records are calculated come largely from casual observations which do not use a standard method. These casual observations do frequently have a degree of focus however, for example records of the scarcer waders are usually the result of observers looking for them at likely locations at the appropriate time of year.

The primary purpose of creating these definitions is to determine which species currently occur with a sufficient degree of rarity that they require a description to be submitted and accepted before they become accepted records. It is the species that are Vagrant and Rare that require a description.

These definitions are calculated in this way using the number of records during the past decade –

V Vagrant - Fewer than 2
R Rare - 3 – 10, or at least 5 years without a record
S Scarce - Averaging up to 5 per year
U Uncommon - Averaging 6 – 50 per year
F Fairly common - Averaging 50 – 500 per year
C Common - Averaging 500 – 5, 000 per year
A Abundant - Averaging over 5, 000 per year

In addition to the Vagrant and Rare species Regional Recorders may ask for descriptions of species other than those designated as Vagrant or Rare particularly where there is a single observer and no suitable photograph is available.

Breeding Categories

These are derived from the numbers of pairs given in The Breeding Birds of Cumbria 1997-2001, these numbers are then modified by applying BTO trends since that time –

Former breeder : not in the last 10 years
Occasional breeder : at least once in the last 10 years
Breeds in very small numbers : 1-25 pairs per annum
Breeds in small numbers : 25-250 pairs per annum
Breeds in moderate numbers : 250-2500 pairs per annum
Breeds in large numbers : 2500 – 25000 pairs per annum
Breeds in very large numbers : over 25000 pairs per annum

Files:

Cumbria Bird List Updated May 2022.xlsx

Search form

Search form

Record Recording Categories 2021

Breeding Categories