House sparrows are among the most familiar birds in UK gardens. Males are easily recognised by their grey crowns and black bibs, while females are plainer with brown streaks. They’re highly social birds and often gather in noisy flocks, especially around hedges or nest boxes.

These colourful little birds are a delight to watch. With bright yellow bellies, blue caps, and green backs, blue tits are agile and curious. In summer, they’re often seen darting about the garden feeding their young or searching for insects among the leaves.

Robins are a year-round favourite, but you’ll often hear their sweet song drifting through the summer air. While they’re famous for their winter appearances, robins are territorial all year and may nest in garden sheds, hedges, or ivy-covered walls.

Male blackbirds are glossy black with bright orange beaks, while females are brown and speckled. Known for their rich,
flute-like song, blackbirds are early risers and often the first birds you'll hear at dawn. Summer is a busy time for them as they forage for worms, fruit, and insects to feed their young.

Goldfinches add a splash of colour with their red faces, black-and-yellow wings, and tinkling song. They're particularly fond of thistle and dandelion seeds, so a wilder patch of garden may attract them in numbers. Watch for them fluttering delicately through flowerbeds or perching on stems.

Larger than the blue tit, great tits are bold and easily identified by their black heads, white cheeks, and yellow bodies. They’re excellent mimics and have a variety of calls. During summer, they often flit about trees and bushes, hunting for caterpillars and spiders.

Chaffinches are widespread and easily overlooked, but their pinkish chest and white wing bars make them a beautiful sight. Males sing proudly from trees or shrubs, and you may spot them hopping on the lawn or along fences.

The tiny wren is often heard before it's seen, delivering a surprisingly loud and complex song. They have a compact, rounded shape and a short tail often held upright. Wrens like dense undergrowth, so providing a wild corner in your garden can encourage them.

Sometimes mistaken for a female house sparrow, the dunnock is a shy ground feeder with a grey head and a soft brown back. Look for them skulking around flowerbeds or under hedges, often flitting low to the ground.

While not typical garden feeders, summer is the only time to see swifts and swallows in the UK. These aerial acrobats arrive in
late spring and spend the season feeding on insects mid-flight. Swallows often nest in eaves and barns, while swifts scream across the sky in tight, fast-moving groups.