Rare Birds in Cambridgeshire
74 species matching this filter.
Cambridgeshire's diverse landscape of fenland, wetland reserves, and arable farmland provides occasional refuge for 74 rare bird species that turn up infrequently across the county. Notable rarities include the striking Bohemian Waxwing during winter irruptions, the elusive Eurasian Bittern lurking in reedbeds, and passage migrants such as Arctic Tern and Garganey passing through the county's renowned wetland sites. With patience and careful timing, birdwatchers can encounter these scarce visitors at key locations including the Ouse Washes, Wicken Fen, and the Nene Washes.
Showing 1–23 of 74 species
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
A rare spring passage migrant in April and May, occasionally seen over gravel pits and reservoirs heading north.
Apr–May
Avocet
Recurvirostra avosettaLC
A rare breeding visitor from March to July, nesting at shallow scrapes and lagoons on fenland reserves such as the Ouse Washes.
Mar–Jul
Bar-tailed Godwit
Limosa lapponicaNT
A rare April passage visitor, occasionally seen on flooded washes and muddy scrapes, far from its usual coastal haunts.
Apr
Barn Owl
Tyto albaLC
A scarce but charismatic resident of Fenland farmland, hunting voles along ditches and field margins at dusk and dawn.
Year-round
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
A rare resident, with records likely involving feral birds. Occasionally appears on gravel pits and fenland washes alongside other goose species.
Aug–May
Bearded Tit
Panurus biarmicusLC
A rare resident confined to extensive reedbeds at sites like Wicken Fen and the Ouse Washes. More often heard than seen, with a distinctive pinging call.
Year-round
Black Tern
Chlidonias nigerLC
A rare breeder and passage migrant, historically nested in the Fens and still seen hawking over lakes in spring and autumn.
Apr–Sep
Black-crowned Night-heron
Nycticorax nycticoraxLC
A rare and exciting vagrant, occasionally recorded in June around the Fen waterways and wetland reserves.
Jun
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Black-necked Grebe
Podiceps nigricollisLC
Rare passage visitor to Cambridgeshire lakes and gravel pits in late summer, most likely in August and September.
Aug–Sep
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulusLC
A rare and irruptive winter visitor, occasionally appearing in December to feed on berry-laden trees in towns and gardens.
Dec
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A rare winter visitor from Scandinavia, sometimes joining chaffinch flocks on farmland and beneath beech trees.
Oct–Mar
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibisLC
A rare but increasingly established resident, often found near livestock in Fenland pastures. A recent arrival to the county.
Year-round
Common Crane
Grus grusLC
A rare but increasing resident, part of the recolonisation of eastern England. Occasionally seen over Fenland landscapes.
Year-round
Common Loon
Gavia immerLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to larger water bodies in winter months, most likely at Grafham Water or gravel pits.
Nov–Mar
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
A rare winter visitor to larger rivers and reservoirs, occasionally seen in small parties from November to April.
Nov–Apr
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
A rare but increasing resident, part of the species' recent eastward spread into the lowlands of Cambridgeshire.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor from autumn to early spring, associating with birch and alder stands. Often found in mixed flocks with Lesser Redpolls.
Sep–Apr
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally glimpsed in September at scrubby sites and coastal-style habitats in the county.
Sep
Common Scoter
Melanitta nigraLC
A rare passage visitor in late autumn, occasionally dropping onto reservoirs and gravel pits during stormy weather.
Nov–Dec
Curlew
Numenius arquataNT
A rare passage visitor, occasionally noted in April and June over fenland fields. Once bred locally but now largely absent.
Apr–Jun
Curlew Sandpiper
Calidris ferrugineaNT
A rare autumn passage wader, occasionally found at muddy scrape edges in September and October.
Sep–Oct
Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLC
Present year-round but rare, found on muddy scrapes and washland edges, with numbers peaking during passage periods.
Year-round
Eurasian Bittern
Botaurus stellarisLC
A secretive resident of Fenland reedbeds, most often detected by its deep booming call in spring. A prized county speciality.
Mar–Jan