Rare Birds in Cornwall

116 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 47–69 of 116 species

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
Hen Harrier

Hen Harrier

Circus cyaneusLC

A rare non-breeding visitor, wintering on open moorland and coastal marshes from late autumn into early spring.

Nov–Mar

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

Hobby

Falco subbuteoLC

A rare passage visitor in late spring and early autumn. This agile falcon occasionally hunts dragonflies over Cornish wetlands and heathland.

May–Sep

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

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Hoopoe

Hoopoe

Upupa epopsLC

A rare but eagerly sought passage migrant in spring and autumn. Cornwall's position makes it a prime spot for this exotic-looking overshooting visitor.

Oct–Apr

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

Horned Grebe

Podiceps auritusVU

A rare winter visitor to sheltered Cornish bays and harbours, most likely seen between November and February in non-breeding plumage.

Nov–Feb

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

Iceland Gull

Larus glaucoidesLC

A rare but annual winter visitor, typically found among large gull roosts at reservoirs and coastal harbours.

Nov–May

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

Jack Snipe

Lymnocryptes minimusLC

A secretive autumn passage visitor to boggy fields and marshes in October and November, easily overlooked due to its skulking habits.

Oct–Nov

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

Lapland Longspur

Calcarius lapponicusLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally found on stubble fields and coastal grasslands during October and November.

Oct–Nov

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Leach's Storm-petrel

Leach's Storm-petrel

Hydrobates leucorhousVU

A rare autumn passage visitor, sometimes driven close to shore by Atlantic gales between September and November.

Sep–Nov

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

Lesser Whitethroat

Curruca currucaLC

A rare passage migrant recorded mainly in May and October. Cornwall lies west of its main breeding range, so most records are of drifted migrants.

May–Oct

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

Lesser Yellowlegs

Tringa flavipesVU

A rare Nearctic vagrant occasionally recorded in October, typically found on estuarine mudflats or freshwater pools.

Oct

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

Little Gull

Hydrocoloeus minutusLC

A rare non-breeding visitor, occasionally spotted in harbours or among gull flocks at estuaries in autumn and winter.

Sep–Feb

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Little Ringed Plover

Little Ringed Plover

Charadrius dubiusLC

A rare passage visitor in late summer, favouring freshwater margins rather than the coast. Smaller and slimmer than Ringed Plover.

Aug

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

Little Stint

Calidris minutaLC

A scarce autumn passage migrant in September and October, favouring muddy pool edges on estuaries and marshes.

Sep–Oct

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

Little Tern

Sternula albifronsLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally glimpsed at sandy estuaries and beaches in September as birds head south.

Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Long-tailed Duck

Long-tailed Duck

Clangula hyemalisVU

A rare winter visitor, occasionally spotted in coastal waters or sheltered bays in November and January.

Nov–Jan

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Long-tailed Jaeger

Long-tailed Jaeger

Stercorarius longicaudusLC

A rare but prized seabird on autumn pelagic watches, occasionally seen from Cornish headlands in August and September.

Aug–Sep

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

Mandarin Duck

Aix galericulataLC

A rare passage visitor, with occasional December records likely involving wandering feral birds from elsewhere in southern England.

Dec

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