Rare Birds in Bedfordshire

67 species matching this filter.

All birds in Bedfordshire

Bedfordshire may be one of England's smaller counties, but its diverse mix of wetlands, ancient woodlands, and farmland supports an impressive array of rare bird species. With 67 species classified as rare in the region, patient observers may be rewarded with sightings of elusive birds such as the Great Grey Shrike, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, and Barn Owl. The county's river valleys, gravel pits, and nature reserves like the RSPB's The Lodge provide vital habitats for these uncommon visitors and residents alike.

Firecrest
FirecrestSmallest · 9cm
to
Lady Amherst's Pheasant
Lady Amherst's PheasantLargest · 120cm
Ranges from the Firecrest (9cm) to the Lady Amherst's Pheasant (120cm)28 families represented19 year-round residents

Showing 47–67 of 67 species

Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinusLC

A rare but increasingly seen resident, favouring tall structures for nesting. Recorded in most months, with a gap in midsummer.

Aug–Jun

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Pink-footed Goose

Pink-footed Goose

Anser brachyrhynchusLC

A rare passage visitor, occasionally noted in February. Bedfordshire lies south of this species' main wintering range in East Anglia and Lancashire.

Feb

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red Crossbill

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostraLC

A rare non-breeding visitor, appearing irregularly in conifer plantations during irruption years, mainly in winter and late summer.

Jul–Mar

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-backed Shrike

Red-backed Shrike

Lanius collurioLC

A rare autumn passage migrant recorded in September and October. Any sighting in Bedfordshire is a prized find for local birders.

Sep–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-crested Pochard

Red-crested Pochard

Netta rufinaLC

A rare non-breeding visitor in winter months. Records may involve wild continental birds or escapees, making provenance often uncertain.

Dec–Mar

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Redshank

Redshank

Tringa totanusLC

A rare resident found at wet grassland and gravel pit edges, with numbers bolstered slightly during passage periods.

Dec–Aug

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Ringed Plover

Ringed Plover

Charadrius hiaticulaLC

A rare breeder at gravel pits and reservoir margins from spring to early autumn. Nesting habitat is limited in the county.

Feb–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Rose-ringed Parakeet

Rose-ringed Parakeet

Alexandrinus krameriLC

A rare passage visitor with scattered records across several months. Not yet established in the county unlike parts of southern England.

Oct–May

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

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Ruddy Duck

Ruddy Duck

Oxyura jamaicensisLC

Now extremely rare following the national eradication programme, with only occasional July passage records in the county.

Jul

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Ruff

Ruff

Philomachus pugnaxLC

A rare autumn passage migrant seen at muddy reservoir margins and gravel pits from August to October.

Aug–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Savi's Warbler

Savi's Warbler

Locustella luscinioidesLC

A rare passage visitor with occasional May records. Any singing bird in Bedfordshire's reedbeds is a major county find.

May

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Smew

Smew

Mergellus albellusLC

A rare winter visitor, occasionally recorded in February on larger waterbodies. The striking 'white nun' males are highly prized sightings in the county.

Feb

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Spotted Redshank

Spotted Redshank

Tringa erythropusLC

A rare autumn passage wader, recorded in September at wetland sites. A notable find at any of the county's reservoirs or pits.

Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Tawny Owl

Tawny Owl

Strix alucoLC

A rare but resident owl of mature woodland and parkland, more often heard than seen with its familiar hooting call.

Jun–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Water Rail

Water Rail

Rallus aquaticusLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to reedbeds and marshy margins from autumn to spring. Secretive and more often heard than seen.

Oct–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Western Marsh-harrier

Western Marsh-harrier

Circus aeruginosusLC

A rare but increasingly regular resident, quartering reedbeds and wetlands. Part of a national range expansion.

Sep–Jul

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Wheatear

Wheatear

Oenanthe oenantheLC

A rare visitor to open farmland and chalk downland, mainly seen on spring and autumn passage across the county.

Mar–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Whimbrel

Whimbrel

Numenius phaeopusLC

A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally stopping at wetland sites in April on its northward migration.

Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Whinchat

Whinchat

Saxicola rubetraLC

A rare autumn passage migrant from August to October, favouring rough grassland and scrubby field edges.

Aug–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Wood Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper

Tringa glareolaLC

A rare visitor to shallow pools and flooded gravel pits from spring to autumn. One of the scarcer waders recorded in the county.

Apr–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Yellow-legged Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Larus michahellisLC

A rare gull found mainly in late summer and autumn at reservoirs and tips, with peak numbers in August.

Jun–Jan

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
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