Rare Birds in Berkshire
57 species matching this filter.
Berkshire's diverse habitats—from the ancient woodlands of Windsor Great Park to the Thames Valley wetlands and open farmland—support an impressive array of rare bird species. With 57 species classified as rare in the county, patient observers may be rewarded with sightings of elusive birds such as the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Barn Owl, Grasshopper Warbler, and Eurasian Woodcock. These uncommon visitors and scarce residents make Berkshire a rewarding destination for birders seeking something beyond the everyday.
Showing 24–46 of 57 species
Greater Scaup
Aythya marilaLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally found among Tufted Duck flocks on larger waters in autumn and winter. Always a noteworthy inland record.
Oct–Jan
Greenshank
Tringa nebulariaLC
A rare passage migrant, occasionally seen at Berkshire's reservoirs and gravel pits in May and again in late summer.
May–Sep
Grey Partridge
Perdix perdixLC
A rare and declining resident of arable farmland in the county. Increasingly hard to find, with most records from the first half of the year.
Jan–Jun
Jack Snipe
Lymnocryptes minimusLC
A scarce autumn and winter passage visitor to boggy margins of gravel pits and water meadows. Easily overlooked due to its skulking habits.
Oct–Dec
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Dryobates minorLC
A rare and declining species, most likely detected by its drumming in March in mature broadleaved woodland.
Mar
Lesser Whitethroat
Curruca currucaLC
A scarce summer breeder arriving in April, favouring tall hedgerows and scrubby woodland edges. Its rattling song is distinctive but easily overlooked.
Apr–Sep
Little Gull
Hydrocoloeus minutusLC
A rare spring passage visitor, occasionally noted over Berkshire's reservoirs and gravel pits in April. Dainty flight is distinctive.
Apr
Little Owl
Athene noctuaLC
A rare and declining breeder in Berkshire's farmland, favouring old barns and pollarded willows. Largely sedentary but increasingly hard to find.
May–Aug
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Little Stint
Calidris minutaLC
A rare autumn passage wader, occasionally stopping at gravel pit scrapes in September and October. Tiny size aids identification.
Sep–Oct
Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalisVU
A rare passage visitor, occasionally appearing on larger reservoirs in December. A scarce inland record for this predominantly coastal sea duck.
Dec
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
A rare but year-round resident favouring wooded rivers and lakes. The Thames Valley holds a notable population of this spectacular introduced species.
Year-round
Nightjar
Caprimulgus europaeusLC
A rare summer breeder on heathland sites such as those near Bucklebury and the Swinley Forest area. Best detected by its churring song at dusk.
May–Jul
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded in midwinter on gravel pits and reservoirs. An elegant but scarce inland duck in Berkshire.
Jan
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinusLC
A rare but increasing resident, occasionally seen hunting over towns and along the Thames valley throughout the year.
Jul–May
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare passage visitor with sporadic appearances, typically during irruption years. May be encountered in conifer plantations in July or October.
Jul–Oct
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufinaLC
A rare but increasingly recorded resident on larger gravel pits. The striking males are eye-catching, though origins of some birds may be uncertain.
Mar–Jan
Redshank
Tringa totanusLC
A rare breeding bird in Berkshire, found at a few wet grassland and gravel pit sites from March to August. Numbers are declining.
Mar–Aug
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatusLC
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally pausing on downland or open ground in April. Easily confused with Blackbird but note the pale breast crescent.
Apr
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
A rare visitor to Berkshire's gravel pits and reservoir margins, mainly on passage in spring and autumn.
Mar–Sep
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensisLC
A rare resident, now extremely scarce following the national eradication programme. Occasional sightings persist at scattered gravel pit sites.
Aug–Apr
Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
A rare passage visitor to Berkshire's gravel pits and reservoirs, mainly in late summer and autumn. Favours shallow muddy pools.
Aug–Dec
Smew
Mergellus albellusLC
A rare but eagerly sought winter visitor to gravel pits and reservoirs. The striking 'white nun' males appear in cold spells from November to February.
Nov–Feb
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striataLC
A rare and declining summer breeder, arriving in May. Favours woodland edges and churchyards, sallying out from exposed perches to catch insects.
May–Sep