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 47–69 of 74 species
Pectoral Sandpiper
Calidris melanotosLC
A rare Nearctic vagrant recorded in September and October at muddy reservoir edges and flooded fenland pools.
Sep–Oct
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinusLC
A rare but year-round resident, occasionally seen hunting over Cambridge and Ely. Has benefited from urban nesting sites on cathedrals and tall buildings.
Year-round
Pink-footed Goose
Anser brachyrhynchusLC
A rare non-breeding visitor, mainly seen from September to February. Skeins sometimes pass over the Fens en route to traditional wintering grounds.
Sep–Feb
Red Knot
Calidris canutusNT
A rare autumn passage visitor in September, occasionally stopping at inland reservoirs and washland pools.
Sep
Red-backed Shrike
Lanius collurioLC
A very rare passage migrant, occasionally turning up on scrubby heathland or hedgerows in late spring or early summer.
Jun
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serratorLC
A rare midwinter visitor, occasionally seen on larger waterbodies. Far less frequent inland than Goosander.
Dec–Jan
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufinaLC
A rare but increasingly recorded resident, favouring gravel pits and larger lakes. Part of a growing feral population in England.
Apr–Feb
Red-necked Grebe
Podiceps grisegenaLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally turning up on gravel pits and reservoirs in December during cold weather movements.
Dec
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Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatusLC
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally recorded in April on open ground. This upland thrush is a scarce find in the lowland Fens.
Apr
Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosusLC
A rare October passage migrant, very occasionally recorded at gravel pits or reservoir margins far from its usual rocky coasts.
Oct
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Alexandrinus krameriLC
A rare and irregular visitor in autumn, part of the species' slow spread from established London populations into East Anglia.
Oct–Nov
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpresLC
A rare inland passage visitor in late summer, occasionally stopping at gravel pits and reservoir margins.
Aug–Sep
Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
Scarce year-round on the Ouse Washes and fenland scrapes, once bred here but now mainly a passage and winter visitor.
Year-round
Sanderling
Calidris albaLC
A rare spring passage visitor, briefly stopping at reservoir margins and gravel pits in May.
May
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeusLC
A rare winter visitor to open Fenland, hunting over rough grassland and marshes. Occasionally lingers into early spring.
Nov–Apr
Smew
Mergellus albellusLC
A scarce but eagerly sought winter visitor, favouring gravel pits and reservoirs from December to March.
Dec–Mar
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striataLC
A rare and declining summer breeder, arriving in May and favouring mature woodland edges and large gardens with open perches.
May–Sep
Spotted Redshank
Tringa erythropusLC
A rare passage migrant seen in spring and autumn at fenland scrapes and shallow pools, often alongside other waders.
Apr–Sep
Tawny Owl
Strix alucoLC
A scarce resident of mature woodland and parkland. Its hooting call is heard in areas like Wandlebury and the Brampton Woods.
Year-round
Temminck's Stint
Calidris temminckiiLC
A rare spring passage migrant in May, favouring muddy margins and shallow pools at gravel pits and fenland reserves.
May
Tundra Bean Goose
Anser serrirostrisLC
A rare passage visitor recorded in midwinter, occasionally appearing on flooded fenland fields among other wild goose flocks.
Dec–Jan
Tundra Swan
Cygnus columbianusLC
A rare winter visitor from November to February, occasionally appearing on the Ouse Washes and flooded fenland fields alongside Whooper Swans.
Nov–Feb
Water Pipit
Anthus spinolettaLC
A rare winter visitor from November to March, favouring watercress beds and marshy margins. Most records come from the Ouse Washes and similar wetland sites.
Nov–Mar