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 24–46 of 106 species

Dotterel

Dotterel

Eudromias morinellusLC

A rare and confiding autumn passage migrant, sometimes pausing on short-cropped fields and headlands in September and October.

Sep–Oct

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

Eider

Somateria mollissimaNT

A rare non-breeding visitor to Cornish coastal waters, most likely seen between autumn and spring around rocky shores and harbours.

Oct–Apr

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

Eurasian Bittern

Botaurus stellarisLC

A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded in February at reedbeds and wetland margins.

Feb

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

Eurasian Spoonbill

Platalea leucorodiaLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to Cornish estuaries, increasingly recorded in recent years. Most likely on the Hayle or Camel estuaries.

Sep–Apr

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

Eurasian Woodcock

Scolopax rusticolaLC

A secretive winter visitor to damp woodland and hedgerows, most likely encountered during cold snaps from October to February.

Oct–Feb

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
European Green Woodpecker

European Green Woodpecker

Picus viridisLC

A scarce resident, favouring parkland and woodland edges. Its loud, laughing call carries across Cornish valleys.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
European Pied Flycatcher

European Pied Flycatcher

Ficedula hypoleucaLC

A rare passage migrant, mainly seen in autumn at coastal headlands and valleys. The Lizard and Porthgwarra are favoured spots.

May–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
European Turtle-dove

European Turtle-dove

Streptopelia turturVU

A rare passage migrant, critically declining across Britain. Occasionally recorded in spring and autumn on coastal scrub.

May–Oct

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

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Gadwall

Gadwall

Mareca streperaLC

A scarce year-round resident, favouring freshwater lakes and reservoirs. Loe Pool and other sheltered waters are reliable sites.

Year-round

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

Garden Warbler

Sylvia borinLC

A scarce summer breeder in Cornwall, favouring dense scrubby woodland. More often heard than seen, with a rich warbling song.

Apr–Oct

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

Garganey

Spatula querquedulaLC

A rare passage migrant in spring and autumn, favouring shallow freshwater pools and marshes during brief stopovers.

Apr–Sep

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

Glaucous Gull

Larus hyperboreusLC

A rare late-winter visitor, usually a single bird found loafing among Herring Gulls at harbours or landfill sites.

Jan–Mar

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

Goldeneye

Bucephala clangulaLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to freshwater lakes and sheltered estuaries from November to March. Scarce this far south-west.

Nov–Mar

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

Grasshopper Warbler

Locustella naeviaLC

A rare and secretive breeding visitor from April to July. Its insect-like reeling song is heard from dense scrub and rough grassland.

Apr–Jul

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

Great Skua

Catharacta skuaLC

A powerful seabird seen from Cornish headlands most of the year, often pursuing other birds to steal their catch.

Jun–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Great White Egret

Great White Egret

Ardea albaLC

A rare but increasingly recorded visitor to Cornish wetlands, present mainly from autumn through spring.

Sep–May

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

Greater Scaup

Aythya marilaLC

A rare winter visitor to sheltered bays and estuaries, sometimes mixing with Tufted Duck flocks on inland waters.

Nov–Mar

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Greater White-fronted Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose

Anser albifronsLC

A rare passage visitor, occasionally appearing on Cornish estuaries and flooded fields in November alongside other wintering wildfowl.

Nov

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

Green Sandpiper

Tringa ochropusLC

A scarce but regular visitor to freshwater pools and ditches, most often seen singly at sites like Marazion Marsh.

Jul–Apr

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

Grey Phalarope

Phalaropus fulicariusLC

A scarce autumn passage migrant, most often seen offshore or in harbours after Atlantic storms between August and November.

Aug–Nov

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

Grey Plover

Pluvialis squatarolaLC

Feeds on muddy estuaries and beaches outside summer, its silvery plumage and black 'armpits' distinctive in flight.

Sep–May

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

Greylag Goose

Anser anserLC

A scarce year-round resident, with a mix of feral and genuinely wild birds found on estuaries, lakes and farmland.

Year-round

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

Hawfinch

Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC

A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded in October. This elusive finch may appear in coastal scrub during irruption years.

Oct

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