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 93–106 of 106 species

Spotted Crake

Spotted Crake

Porzana porzanaLC

A secretive autumn passage migrant, rarely glimpsed in reedbeds and marshy margins. Most records come from October.

Oct

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

Spotted Redshank

Tringa erythropusLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to sheltered estuaries, occasionally wintering at favoured sites like the Fal and Hayle estuaries.

Sep–Mar

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

Tawny Owl

Strix alucoLC

A scarce year-round resident of mature woodland. More often heard than seen, calling after dark.

Year-round

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

Tree Pipit

Anthus trivialisLC

A rare breeder in scattered woodland clearings, arriving in April and departing by October. More often noted on passage.

Apr–Oct

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

Treecreeper

Certhia familiarisLC

A scarce resident, spiralling up tree trunks in mature woodland. Thinly distributed across Cornwall's wooded valleys.

Dec–Jun

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

Water Pipit

Anthus spinolettaLC

A rare winter visitor, favouring watercress beds, reservoir margins, and coastal seepages from November through to March.

Nov–Mar

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Western Marsh-harrier

Western Marsh-harrier

Circus aeruginosusLC

A rare breeder, favouring reedbeds and wetlands. Seen quartering marshes from spring through autumn.

Jan–Oct

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

Whooper Swan

Cygnus cygnusLC

A rare passage visitor in October, with occasional birds appearing on estuaries or flooded fields during southward migration.

Oct

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

Spotted something?

Upload a photo to identify it

Identify
Wood Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper

Tringa glareolaLC

A rare autumn passage wader seen in August and September, favouring freshwater pools and marshy edges at coastal sites.

Aug–Sep

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

Woodchat Shrike

Lanius senatorNT

A rare passage vagrant in April and September, typically overshooting from southern Europe. Cornwall's headlands offer the best chance of a sighting.

Apr–Sep

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

Wryneck

Jynx torquillaLC

A rare but eagerly sought autumn migrant, turning up in coastal scrub and gardens in September and October.

Sep–Oct

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

Yellow Wagtail

Motacilla flavaLC

A scarce visitor to wet meadows and coastal fields, mainly seen on spring and autumn passage between April and October.

Apr–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Yellow-legged Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Larus michahellisLC

A scarce resident found among large gull flocks at tips and harbours, most numerous in late summer and autumn.

Jun–Apr

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

Yellowhammer

Emberiza citrinellaLC

A scarce resident of farmland hedgerows, present mainly from late autumn through the breeding season. Has declined significantly in Cornwall.

Nov–Jul

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
PreviousPage 5 of 5

Frequently Asked Questions