Rare Birds in Cornwall

106 species matching this filter.

All birds in Cornwall

Cornwall's diverse coastal, moorland and woodland habitats attract a surprising variety of rare bird species, with 106 classified as uncommon visitors or scarce residents across the county. From elusive Barn Owls hunting over rough grassland to passage migrants like Dotterel and Little Stint stopping off on the coast, the county offers rewarding opportunities for dedicated birdwatchers. Notable rarities such as Great Skua, Common Merganser and Mandarin Duck add to the excitement of birding in this far south-western corner of Britain.

Lesser Whitethroat
Lesser WhitethroatSmallest · 11cm
to
Whooper Swan
Whooper SwanLargest · 165cm
Ranges from the Lesser Whitethroat (11cm) to the Whooper Swan (165cm)37 families represented24 year-round residents

Showing 1–23 of 106 species

Arctic Loon

Arctic Loon

Gavia arcticaLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to Cornish coastal waters from November to April. Often seen singly in sheltered bays and harbours.

Nov–Apr

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

Arctic Tern

Sterna paradisaeaLC

A scarce autumn passage migrant seen offshore from August to October, best spotted during seawatches at headlands.

Aug–Oct

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

Atlantic Puffin

Fratercula arcticaVU

Breeds in small numbers on offshore islands, best seen from boat trips around the north coast cliffs in summer.

Mar–Oct

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

Avocet

Recurvirostra avosettaLC

A striking black-and-white wader, occasionally wintering on sheltered Cornish estuaries. Sweeps its upcurved bill through shallow water.

Nov–Feb

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Bar-headed Goose

Bar-headed Goose

Anser indicusLC

A rare visitor of likely captive origin, occasionally recorded in July. Not a naturally occurring species in Britain.

Jul

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

Barn Owl

Tyto albaLC

Rarely recorded on passage in early summer. Cornwall's open farmland offers suitable hunting habitat.

Jun–Jul

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

Barnacle Goose

Branta leucopsisLC

A rare October passage visitor, with small numbers occasionally appearing on coastal grassland and estuaries during autumn movements.

Oct

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

Black Tern

Chlidonias nigerLC

A rare passage visitor in late summer, sometimes seen dipping over estuaries and sheltered bays during August and September.

Aug–Sep

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

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Black-necked Grebe

Black-necked Grebe

Podiceps nigricollisLC

A rare passage visitor to sheltered Cornish bays and estuaries in midwinter, often associating with other grebes in calm coastal waters.

Jan–Feb

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

Blackpoll Warbler

Setophaga striataNT

A rare Nearctic vagrant, occasionally making landfall in October after transatlantic crossings. Cornwall is a prime site for this species in Britain.

Oct

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

Booted Eagle

Hieraaetus pennatusLC

An exceptional vagrant to Cornwall, with rare midwinter records. A remarkable find for any Cornish birder.

Jan

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

Brambling

Fringilla montifringillaLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, arriving from Scandinavia in October and November. Occasionally joins finch flocks in farmland hedgerows.

Oct–Nov

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

Brent Goose

Branta berniclaLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to Cornish estuaries from autumn through winter. The Camel and Fal estuaries are favoured sites.

Sep–Feb

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

Cattle Egret

Bubulcus ibisLC

A rare but increasingly regular non-breeding visitor, often associating with livestock on Cornish farmland, mainly autumn to spring.

Aug–Apr

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

Common Merganser

Mergus merganserLC

A rare winter visitor to Cornish rivers and estuaries, more typical of freshwater habitats further east and north in Britain.

Nov–Mar

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

Common Redpoll

Acanthis flammeaLC

A rare resident, occasionally seen in birch and alder woodland. Most likely encountered during autumn and winter influxes.

Oct–Jun

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

Common Redstart

Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC

A rare breeding visitor to mature oak woodland, arriving in April. More often noted on passage at coastal sites in autumn.

Apr–Oct

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

Common Rosefinch

Carpodacus erythrinusLC

A rare autumn vagrant, occasionally turning up at coastal migrant hotspots like the Isles of Scilly and Penwith headlands during October.

Oct

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

Common Scoter

Melanitta nigraLC

Dark sea ducks seen in rafts offshore, particularly around Mount's Bay and St Ives. Scarce but present most of the year.

Jul–Apr

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

Common Tern

Sterna hirundoLC

A rare breeding visitor arriving in spring, nesting at a few coastal sites. Often seen plunge-diving in estuaries until October.

Apr–Oct

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

Corn Bunting

Emberiza calandraLC

A rare passage visitor in May, reflecting the species' severe national decline. Once more widespread on Cornish farmland.

May

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

Curlew Sandpiper

Calidris ferrugineaNT

A rare autumn passage migrant, typically seen on muddy estuary margins from August to October, often alongside Dunlin.

Aug–Oct

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

Dipper

Cinclus cinclusLC

A rare breeder found on fast-flowing streams on Bodmin Moor and in wooded river valleys. Present mainly from February to June.

Feb–Jun

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