Spring migrant birds

Cuckoo

©Jon Hawkins

Spring

Spring migrant birds

Spring is in the air

Many spring woodlands will be home to birds that have migrated thousands of miles to the UK to breed, like the cuckoo, blackcap, nightingale and chiffchaff.

Cuckoo

© Amy Lewis

Cuckoo

Traditionally heralding the start of spring, the song of the Cuckoo sounds the same as its name: 'cuck-oo'. It can be heard, and sometimes seen, in its favoured grassland, woodland edge and reedbed habitats.

More about the cuckoo
Nightingale

© Amy Lewis

Nightingale

The melodious song of the Nightingale is the most likely sign of this bird being about. Shy and secretive, it sings from dense scrub and woodland, day and night.

More about the nightingale
Chiffchaff

© David Longshaw

Chiffchaff

In early spring, listen out for the 'chiff chaff chiff chaff' song of the appropriately named Chiffchaff. It can be heard in woodland, scrub, parks and gardens across the UK.

More about the chiffchaff

Top sites for migratory birds

Species A-Z

Stag beetle on log pile

© Terry Whittaker/2020VISION

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