Uncommon Birds in Bristol

35 species matching this filter.

All birds in Bristol

Bristol's diverse landscapes—from the Severn Estuary mudflats to the wooded gorges and urban parklands—support a fascinating array of birdlife beyond the everyday species. Among the 35 uncommon birds recorded in the county, you can find striking species such as Bullfinch, European Green Woodpecker, and Common Shelduck, each favouring distinct habitats across the region. Whether you're exploring the reedbeds of the Avon valley or scanning the coastline for Great Black-backed Gulls, Bristol offers rewarding birding for those willing to look a little harder.

Willow Warbler
Willow WarblerSmallest · 11cm
to
Mute Swan
Mute SwanLargest · 160cm
Ranges from the Willow Warbler (11cm) to the Mute Swan (160cm)22 families represented29 year-round residents

Showing 24–35 of 35 species

Kestrel

Kestrel

Falco tinnunculusLC

An uncommon resident, hovering over roadside verges and open ground on the city fringe throughout the year.

Year-round

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

Linnet

Linaria cannabinaLC

An uncommon resident favouring weedy fields and scrubby margins on Bristol's outskirts. Declining nationally but present year-round.

Year-round

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

Little Egret

Egretta garzettaLC

Now resident year-round after colonising the region in recent decades. Stalks the shallows along the Avon and Severn Estuary.

Year-round

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

Meadow Pipit

Anthus pratensisLC

An uncommon resident of rough grassland and open hillsides around Bristol. More conspicuous in autumn and winter when numbers increase.

Jul–May

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

Mute Swan

Cygnus olorLC

Present year-round on the River Avon, harbour, and park lakes, though less numerous here than in many English cities.

Year-round

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

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinusLC

Resident year-round, famously nesting on tall buildings and churches in the city centre. A thrilling urban predator to watch.

Year-round

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

Redshank

Tringa totanusLC

Present year-round on the Severn Estuary and Avon mudflats. Its distinctive piping call carries across the saltmarshes.

Jun–Apr

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

Sparrowhawk

Accipiter nisusLC

An uncommon year-round resident, hunting small birds in parks and gardens. Often dashes through suburban hedgerows.

Year-round

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

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Stock Dove

Stock Dove

Columba oenasLC

An uncommon resident found in parkland and wooded areas; often overlooked among the abundant Woodpigeons.

Year-round

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

Treecreeper

Certhia familiarisLC

An uncommon resident of mature woodland, spiralling up tree trunks in parks and wooded valleys around Bristol year-round.

Year-round

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

Whitethroat

Curruca communisLC

An uncommon summer visitor favouring scrubby hedgerows and allotment edges. Males deliver a scratchy song from exposed perches.

Apr–Sep

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

Willow Warbler

Phylloscopus trochilusLC

An uncommon summer breeder from March to September, favouring scrubby woodland edges and parks. Its gentle descending song is a hallmark of spring.

Mar–Sep

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