Uncommon Birds in Berkshire
51 species matching this filter.
Berkshire's diverse habitats—from the Thames floodplain and gravel pits to ancient woodlands and farmland—support a fascinating range of uncommon bird species. With 51 species classified as uncommon in the county, patient observers may encounter birds such as the colourful Bullfinch in hedgerows, Common Swifts screaming over summer rooftops, or passage waders like Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper along the county's waterways. Winter visitors including Fieldfare and Common Gull add seasonal variety, making Berkshire a rewarding destination for birders throughout the year.
Showing 1–23 of 51 species
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of hedgerows, scrub and woodland edges. Its soft, piping call often betrays its presence before it is seen.
Year-round
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
A year-round resident of dense waterside vegetation, more often heard than seen with its explosive burst of song.
Year-round
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
An uncommon but year-round resident, favouring coniferous and mixed woodland and regularly visiting garden feeders in winter.
Year-round
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
Present year-round but most numerous in winter on playing fields and reservoirs. Often mixes with Black-headed Gull flocks.
Year-round
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
Found year-round along the Thames and Kennet, this dazzling resident favours slow-moving stretches and sheltered riverbanks.
Year-round
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
An uncommon winter visitor, arriving from November on larger rivers and gravel pits. Small parties fish the Thames and its associated waterbodies.
Nov–Mar
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
An uncommon summer visitor breeding in Phragmites reedbeds at sites along the Kennet valley and Theale gravel pits.
Apr–Sep
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
An uncommon breeding visitor favouring stony riverbanks and reservoir edges. Bobs its tail constantly while foraging along the waterline.
Apr–Oct
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Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
Found in wet meadows and marshy edges of gravel pits, most conspicuous in winter when numbers increase. Absent during the peak summer months.
Jul–Apr
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
Arrives in late April to breed in Berkshire's towns, screaming over rooftops. Departs by September, spending winter entirely on the wing in Africa.
Apr–Sep
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
An uncommon summer breeder at Berkshire's gravel pits and reservoirs from April to September. Nests on specially provided rafts.
Apr–Sep
Cuckoo
Cuculus canorusLC
An increasingly scarce summer visitor, arriving in April. Its distinctive call is heard less often in Berkshire as populations decline nationally.
Apr–Aug
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
A resident of suburban gardens and farmyards, present all year but less widespread than Woodpigeon. Its monotonous call is distinctive.
Year-round
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegusNT
An uncommon breeding visitor to Berkshire's gravel pits and river margins from February to August. Scarce inland but slowly expanding.
Feb–Aug
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
An uncommon resident favouring alder and birch along waterways. Numbers increase in winter with continental birds, and it readily visits garden feeders.
Sep–Jul
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
An uncommon resident of open farmland and downland, its song flight a feature of Berkshire's remaining arable fields.
Year-round
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
An uncommon resident, most numerous in winter on flooded meadows and gravel pits. Whistling flocks graze waterside grasslands along the Thames Valley.
Year-round
Fieldfare
Turdus pilarisLC
An uncommon winter visitor from October to April, often seen alongside Redwings in open fields and berry-laden hedgerows across the county.
Oct–Apr
Garden Warbler
Sylvia borinLC
An uncommon summer breeder from April to August, favouring dense scrub and woodland with thick undergrowth. More often heard than seen.
Apr–Aug
Goldeneye
Bucephala clangulaLC
An uncommon winter visitor to gravel pits and reservoirs from October to March. The bouncing display of the black-and-white males is a winter highlight.
Oct–Mar
Green Sandpiper
Tringa ochropusLC
Found along Berkshire's watercress beds, streams and gravel pits almost year-round. Bobs distinctively when disturbed.
Jun–Apr
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
An uncommon resident of gardens and farmland edges, declining significantly due to trichomonosis disease. Still visits feeders across the county.
Year-round
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinereaLC
An uncommon resident found along streams, rivers and weirs throughout the county. Its bright yellow underparts and bobbing tail are distinctive.
Year-round