Uncommon Birds in Buckinghamshire
53 species matching this filter.
Buckinghamshire supports a diverse range of uncommon bird species across its mix of rolling Chiltern Hills, ancient woodlands, farmland, and river valleys. With 53 species classified as uncommon in the county, birdwatchers may encounter anything from soaring Buzzards and striking European Green Woodpeckers in wooded areas to Gadwall and Common Mergansers along the Thames and its tributaries. Seasonal visitors such as Fieldfares in winter and Garden Warblers in summer add further variety to the county's birdlife throughout the year.
Showing 24–46 of 53 species
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
An uncommon resident found on lakes and gravel pits throughout the year. Numbers have increased at key wetland sites.
Year-round
Garden Warbler
Sylvia borinLC
A secretive summer visitor to dense scrub and woodland understorey, present from April to August. More often heard than seen, with a rich, melodious warbling song.
Apr–Aug
Goldcrest
Regulus regulusLC
Britain's smallest bird, resident in coniferous and mixed woodland across Buckinghamshire. Its thin, high-pitched call is easily overlooked but present year-round in the Chilterns.
Year-round
Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatusLC
An uncommon year-round resident breeding on larger lakes and gravel pits. Its elaborate courtship display is a highlight of spring visits.
Year-round
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos majorLC
An uncommon resident of mature woodland and gardens, drumming loudly in spring. Readily visits peanut feeders in suburban areas.
Year-round
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
A year-round resident of gardens, hedgerows, and farmland, though numbers have dropped sharply due to trichomonosis disease. Still visits feeders regularly.
Year-round
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinereaLC
An uncommon resident found along streams, weirs, and rivers, including the Chess and Misbourne. Its bobbing tail and bright yellow underparts are distinctive.
Year-round
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
An uncommon year-round resident, with feral populations established on gravel pits and reservoirs. Numbers bolstered by wild birds in winter.
Year-round
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House Martin
Delichon urbicumLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April, nesting under eaves of buildings in towns and villages. Departs by October after gathering in flocks.
Apr–Oct
Kestrel
Falco tinnunculusLC
An uncommon year-round resident, hovering over roadside verges and farmland. Declining nationally but still a familiar sight in open countryside.
Year-round
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
An uncommon resident of open farmland and scrubby margins, forming small flocks in winter. A Red List species declining across much of England.
Year-round
Little Egret
Egretta garzettaLC
Now resident year-round after colonising the county in recent decades. Regularly seen along rivers, lakes and gravel pits, a striking white presence at the water's edge.
Year-round
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollisLC
An uncommon year-round resident on ponds, canals, and slow rivers. Its distinctive whinnying trill carries across quiet waterways.
Year-round
Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensisLC
An uncommon resident found on rough grassland and open farmland, with numbers boosted in autumn and winter by birds moving from higher ground.
Year-round
Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorusLC
An uncommon resident of parkland, orchards and open woodland. One of the earliest songsters, often singing from tall trees from January onwards.
Year-round
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellusNT
An uncommon but year-round resident of farmland and wet meadows. Numbers increase in winter with flocking birds on ploughed fields.
Year-round
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
An uncommon resident found on shallow lakes and reservoirs. Numbers peak in winter when continental birds supplement the local population.
Aug–Jun
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
An uncommon year-round resident on deeper lakes and reservoirs. A nationally declining species, making Buckinghamshire records increasingly valuable.
Year-round
Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclusLC
An uncommon year-round resident of reedbeds, ditches, and damp scrubby margins. Can be found at reserves like College Lake and along the Grand Union Canal.
Year-round
Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
Feral populations are uncommon residents in towns such as Aylesbury and High Wycombe. Nests on buildings and ledges year-round.
Year-round
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
Found in scattered rookeries across Buckinghamshire's agricultural lowlands, though declining in recent decades. Gregarious birds that nest colonially in tall trees near open fields.
Year-round
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Alexandrinus krameriLC
An uncommon but established resident, spreading from the London population. Noisy flocks frequent parks and gardens, especially near the south-east.
Year-round
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
A summer breeding visitor arriving in April, favouring reedbeds and waterside scrub along the county's rivers and gravel pits. Delivers a rapid, chattering song from dense cover.
Apr–Sep