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 24–46 of 51 species
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
An uncommon year-round resident found on gravel pits and reservoirs. Ancestor of domestic geese, with a growing feral population in the Thames Valley.
Year-round
Hobby
Falco subbuteoLC
An elegant summer visitor breeding in Berkshire's heathlands and woodland edges from April to September. Hunts dragonflies and swallows on the wing.
Apr–Sep
House Martin
Delichon urbicumLC
An uncommon summer visitor nesting under eaves in towns and villages, present from April to October before migrating south.
Apr–Oct
Kestrel
Falco tinnunculusLC
An uncommon resident seen hovering over roadside verges and open farmland throughout the county year-round.
Year-round
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscusLC
Present all year at reservoirs and landfill sites, though numbers peak in summer. Increasingly common inland across southern England.
Year-round
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
An uncommon resident of farmland, heathland and rough ground. Often forms sociable flocks outside the breeding season along field margins.
Year-round
Little Egret
Egretta garzettaLC
Now resident year-round along Berkshire's rivers and gravel pits, having colonised the county in recent decades. Numbers are slowly increasing.
Year-round
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollisLC
A resident of Berkshire's ponds, lakes and slow-moving rivers. Its distinctive whinnying trill carries across the water year-round.
Year-round
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Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubiusLC
A summer visitor breeding on bare gravel at extraction sites and reservoir margins. Arrives in April and departs by September.
Apr–Sep
Marsh Tit
Poecile palustrisLC
An uncommon resident of mature deciduous woodland, best found at sites like Bowdown Woods and the Sulham valley.
Year-round
Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensisLC
An uncommon resident of open grassland and heathland. More conspicuous in winter when birds gather on lowland fields and watermeadows.
Year-round
Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorusLC
An uncommon but widespread resident of parkland, playing fields and open woodland. Often sings from tall treetops even in midwinter.
Year-round
Nightingale
Luscinia megarhynchosLC
An uncommon summer visitor arriving in April, favouring dense scrub and coppiced woodland. Best detected by its powerful song on warm spring evenings.
Apr–Jun
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellusNT
Present year-round but declining as a breeding bird. Winter flocks gather on Berkshire's farmland, boosted by continental arrivals.
Year-round
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
An uncommon resident, most conspicuous in winter when numbers are boosted by migrants. Favours shallow, muddy-edged pools at gravel pit complexes.
Year-round
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
An uncommon year-round resident on deeper gravel pits and reservoirs. Numbers have declined nationally, making Berkshire's wintering flocks increasingly notable.
Year-round
Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufaNT
An uncommon year-round resident of farmland and field margins. Often encountered in small coveys on the Berkshire Downs and surrounding arable land.
Year-round
Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclusLC
An uncommon resident of reedbeds, ditches and damp scrubby margins. In winter, disperses more widely to farmland stubble and garden feeders.
Year-round
Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
Feral populations inhabit Berkshire's towns, though pure wild-type birds are uncommon. Nests on buildings and bridges year-round.
Year-round
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
An uncommon resident, with rookeries found in tall trees near farmland and villages across Berkshire.
Year-round
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
An uncommon summer breeder, nesting in sandy banks along rivers and gravel pits from March to September.
Mar–Sep
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April, found in reedbeds and waterside scrub along the Kennet and at gravel pits.
Apr–Sep
Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLC
A secretive resident of Berkshire's woodlands and suburban gardens, often betrayed by panicked alarm calls of smaller birds.
Year-round