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 70–92 of 116 species

Marsh Tit

Marsh Tit

Poecile palustrisLC

A rare resident at the western edge of its British range. Found in scattered mature deciduous woodland with limited suitable habitat in Cornwall.

Nov–Aug

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

Merlin

Falco columbariusLC

A rare winter visitor to open moorland and coastal marshes from autumn through to early spring. Often hunts low over rough ground for small birds.

Sep–Apr

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

Mistle Thrush

Turdus viscivorusLC

A scarce resident found in parkland, churchyards and farmland with tall trees. Its loud, rattling song carries across open ground even in winter.

Sep–Jul

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

Muscovy Duck

Cairina moschataLC

A rare non-breeding visitor of feral origin, occasionally seen on ponds and waterways during the winter months.

Nov–Mar

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

Nightjar

Caprimulgus europaeusLC

A rare passage visitor in early summer, favouring heathland. Cornwall lies at the edge of its limited British breeding range.

Jun–Jul

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

Northern Pintail

Anas acutaLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to Cornish estuaries and pools from October to March. Elegant and long-necked, it favours shallow muddy waters.

Oct–Mar

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

Northern Shoveler

Spatula clypeataLC

A scarce resident, most visible on freshwater pools and flooded fields from autumn to spring. Numbers drop in midsummer.

Aug–May

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

Osprey

Pandion haliaetusLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, seen fishing at reservoirs and estuaries in September and October.

Sep–Oct

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

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Pacific Loon

Pacific Loon

Gavia pacificaLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to Cornish waters in winter, sometimes lingering in sheltered bays.

Dec–Feb

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

Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris melanotosLC

A scarce but almost annual autumn vagrant from North America, typically found on freshwater margins in September and October.

Sep–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Pink-footed Goose

Pink-footed Goose

Anser brachyrhynchusLC

A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally turning up on estuaries and wet fields in October and November, far south of its usual wintering range.

Oct–Nov

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

Pochard

Aythya ferinaVU

A rare diving duck found on freshwater pools and reservoirs. Numbers have declined nationally, making sightings increasingly notable.

Oct–May

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

Pomarine Jaeger

Stercorarius pomarinusLC

Scarce but seen regularly from July to November during seawatches, often passing headlands like Pendeen and Porthgwarra.

Jul–Nov

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

Purple Heron

Ardea purpureaLC

A rare spring passage visitor, occasionally recorded in April at coastal marshes and reedbeds.

Apr

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

Purple Sandpiper

Calidris maritimaLC

A rare but regular winter visitor to rocky headlands and harbour walls, often overlooked among other waders.

Oct–May

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

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostraLC

A rare and irruptive visitor, occasionally appearing in conifer plantations during July and October in invasion years.

Jul–Oct

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

Red Kite

Milvus milvusLC

A rare breeding visitor from March to June, slowly recolonising the southwest. Occasionally soars over farmland and wooded valleys with its distinctive forked tail.

Mar–Jun

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

Red Knot

Calidris canutusNT

Scarce on Cornish shores outside winter, small numbers feed on sandy estuaries from autumn through to early spring.

Aug–Mar

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-backed Shrike

Red-backed Shrike

Lanius collurioLC

A rare autumn passage migrant in September and October, typically found in coastal scrub. Once bred in Britain but now only an occasional visitor.

Sep–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-breasted Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Mergus serratorLC

A rare winter visitor to sheltered estuaries and coastal waters, with slim, serrated bills adapted for catching fish.

Nov–Mar

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-legged Partridge

Red-legged Partridge

Alectoris rufaNT

An introduced gamebird, rarely encountered on Cornish farmland. Less established here than in drier eastern counties.

Sep–Jul

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-necked Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Podiceps grisegenaLC

A rare winter visitor, occasionally seen in sheltered bays and harbours during January and February.

Jan–Feb

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-throated Loon

Red-throated Loon

Gavia stellataLC

Winters rarely off the Cornish coast, often seen in flight low over the sea. Most likely from November to April in sheltered bays.

Nov–Apr

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