Uncommon Birds in Cheshire
51 species matching this filter.
Cheshire's diverse landscape of meres, mosses, estuaries, and farmland supports a rich variety of birdlife, including 51 species classified as uncommon in the county. Among these are elegant waders such as the Avocet and Green Sandpiper, winter visitors like the Fieldfare, and elusive woodland birds including the Bullfinch and Garden Warbler. The Dee Estuary, Rostherne Mere, and the county's network of wetlands provide vital habitats for many of these less frequently encountered species.
Showing 1–23 of 51 species
Avocet
Recurvirostra avosettaLC
An uncommon visitor present from February to November, favouring the Dee Estuary marshes and nearby wetlands for feeding.
Feb–Nov
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosaNT
An uncommon resident found year-round, favouring wet grasslands and estuarine habitats, particularly around the Dee Estuary.
Year-round
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
An unobtrusive resident of hedgerows and woodland edges, often betrayed by its soft, piping call. Declining nationally.
Year-round
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
An uncommon but expanding resident, more often heard than seen, its explosive song rings out from dense reedbed and waterside scrub.
Year-round
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
An uncommon resident found on farmland, playing fields, and reservoirs throughout the year. Often mixes with larger gull flocks at winter roost sites.
Year-round
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
Present year-round along Cheshire's rivers and meres, this dazzling resident is uncommon but regularly seen perched over clean waterways.
Year-round
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
An uncommon resident found on rivers and meres year-round. Often seen on the Dee and Weaver, diving for fish in clear water.
Jul–May
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, now regularly seen soaring over farmland and the eastern hills with its deep croaking call.
Year-round
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Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
An uncommon resident favouring birch and alder woodland, sometimes visiting garden feeders in winter flocks.
Sep–Jul
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
An uncommon summer breeder found in reedbeds around Cheshire's meres and wetlands from April to September. Its chattering song reveals its presence.
Apr–Sep
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
An uncommon summer breeder from April to October, bobbing along stony river edges and reservoir shorelines.
Apr–Oct
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
An uncommon resident breeding on damp moorland and wet grassland. More widespread in winter across lowland marshes and meres.
Year-round
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
An uncommon breeding visitor arriving in April, nesting on rafts and islands at meres and reservoirs. Departs by late August after raising young.
Apr–Aug
Curlew
Numenius arquataNT
An uncommon year-round resident, breeding on upland pastures in the east and wintering on estuarine mudflats. Numbers are declining.
Year-round
Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLC
Found year-round on the Dee and Mersey estuaries, favouring mudflats and saltmarshes. Numbers peak in winter with visiting flocks from northern breeding grounds.
Year-round
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegusNT
An uncommon resident, breeding on farmland and river shingle. Also frequents the Dee Estuary and Mersey coast year-round.
Year-round
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
An uncommon year-round resident, often found in alder and birch woodland. Numbers increase in winter when Continental birds join local populations at garden feeders.
Year-round
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
An uncommon resident of open farmland and grassland, declining locally due to agricultural intensification on the Cheshire Plain.
Year-round
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
Uncommon but present year-round, with numbers peaking in winter on the Dee Estuary and inland meres.
Year-round
Fieldfare
Turdus pilarisLC
A winter visitor to Cheshire's farmland and hedgerows, often seen in roaming flocks feeding on berries from October to April.
Oct–Apr
Garden Warbler
Sylvia borinLC
An uncommon summer breeder skulking in dense undergrowth and woodland edges. Present from April to August, more often heard than seen.
Apr–Aug
Goldeneye
Bucephala clangulaLC
An uncommon winter visitor to Cheshire's meres and reservoirs, present from October to April. Males are striking with their green-glossed heads.
Oct–Apr
Great Black-backed Gull
Larus marinusLC
An uncommon but imposing resident, mainly seen along the coast and at larger reservoirs. The largest British gull, often dominating other species at feeding sites.
Year-round