Uncommon Birds in Cornwall

68 species matching this filter.

All birds in Cornwall

Cornwall's diverse coastal, estuarine and moorland habitats support a fascinating array of uncommon bird species, with 68 recorded in this category. From the dramatic cliffs where Kittiwakes nest to sheltered creeks hosting Greenshanks and Common Sandpipers, the county offers rewarding birdwatching throughout the year. Notable species such as Arctic Jaeger, Fieldfare and Common Shelduck reflect the region's importance as both a migration hotspot and a wintering ground for scarce visitors.

Goldcrest
GoldcrestSmallest · 8.5cm
to
Mute Swan
Mute SwanLargest · 160cm
Ranges from the Goldcrest (8.5cm) to the Mute Swan (160cm)34 families represented49 year-round residents

Showing 24–46 of 68 species

Eurasian Nuthatch

Eurasian Nuthatch

Sitta europaeaLC

An uncommon but increasing resident of mature deciduous woodland. Sedentary by nature, it favours oak-rich valleys across Cornwall.

Year-round

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

Eurasian Siskin

Spinus spinusLC

An uncommon year-round resident, frequenting alder and birch trees. Numbers increase in winter with continental arrivals.

Year-round

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

Eurasian Skylark

Alauda arvensisLC

Resident on farmland and coastal clifftops, singing in flight year-round. Numbers have declined but it remains a characteristic voice of open country.

Year-round

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

Eurasian Wigeon

Mareca penelopeLC

Winters on estuaries like the Camel and Fal, with flocks grazing coastal fields. Absent in midsummer, returning from September.

Sep–May

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
European Storm-petrel

European Storm-petrel

Hydrobates pelagicusLC

An uncommon breeder on offshore islands and rocky coasts. Best seen on pelagic trips or during onshore gales from May to November.

May–Nov

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

Fieldfare

Turdus pilarisLC

An uncommon winter visitor from Scandinavia, arriving from October. Flocks forage in hedgerows and fields, often alongside Redwings.

Oct–Mar

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

Firecrest

Regulus ignicapillaLC

Resident year-round in sheltered woodland and gardens. Cornwall is a stronghold, with numbers boosted by continental arrivals in autumn.

Year-round

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

Fulmar

Fulmarus glacialisLC

An uncommon resident breeding on dramatic Cornish sea cliffs. Numbers have declined in recent years.

Year-round

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

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Goldcrest

Goldcrest

Regulus regulusLC

A tiny resident of coniferous and mixed woodland, present year-round. Numbers swell in autumn with continental immigrants arriving on the coast.

Year-round

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

Golden Plover

Pluvialis apricariaLC

Winters on ploughed fields and coastal grasslands, sometimes forming mixed flocks with Lapwings from autumn to spring.

Sep–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Great Crested Grebe

Great Crested Grebe

Podiceps cristatusLC

An uncommon year-round resident on larger reservoirs and estuaries. Its elaborate courtship display can be seen in spring.

Year-round

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

Great Shearwater

Ardenna gravisLC

An uncommon visitor to offshore waters from July to November. Best spotted from prominent headlands during autumn seawatches.

Jul–Nov

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Dendrocopos majorLC

An uncommon resident of mature woodland and wooded valleys. Its drumming is heard in spring across Cornish estates.

Year-round

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

Greenshank

Tringa nebulariaLC

An uncommon but regular wader on Cornish estuaries, present most months and often seen feeding on tidal creeks.

Jul–May

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

Grey Wagtail

Motacilla cinereaLC

An uncommon resident along streams and rivers, bobbing its long tail on rocks. Also visits farmyards and coastal areas in winter.

Year-round

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

House Martin

Delichon urbicumLC

An uncommon summer visitor nesting under eaves in towns and villages. Arrives from March and departs by October, often seen hawking insects overhead.

Mar–Oct

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

Kestrel

Falco tinnunculusLC

An uncommon year-round resident, often seen hovering over roadside verges and coastal clifftops.

Year-round

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

Kittiwake

Rissa tridactylaVU

Breeds on Cornish sea cliffs and is present year-round, though numbers have declined sharply in recent years.

Year-round

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

Little Grebe

Tachybaptus ruficollisLC

An uncommon but year-round resident on sheltered ponds, reservoirs, and slow-moving rivers. Its whinnying call is distinctive.

Year-round

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

Long-tailed Tit

Aegithalos caudatusLC

Resident year-round, often seen in noisy family flocks moving through hedgerows and woodland. Distinctive long tail makes it easy to identify.

Year-round

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

Manx Shearwater

Puffinus puffinusLC

An uncommon year-round resident of offshore waters, often seen streaming past headlands. Breeds on nearby islands and rocky coasts.

Year-round

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

Mute Swan

Cygnus olorLC

An uncommon resident gracing sheltered estuaries, lakes and rivers throughout the year. Breeds on a few Cornish waterways.

Year-round

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

Northern Lapwing

Vanellus vanellusNT

Found on farmland and wetland margins, numbers boosted in winter by continental arrivals though the species is declining nationally.

Jul–Apr

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