Rare Birds in Cumbria

83 species matching this filter.

All birds in Cumbria

Cumbria's diverse landscapes—from the rugged Lake District fells and ancient woodlands to the expansive Solway Firth and Morecambe Bay estuaries—provide habitat for an impressive variety of rare bird species. With 83 species classified as rare across the county, patient birdwatchers may encounter elusive gems such as Black Grouse on upland moorland edges, Barn Owls quartering lowland farmland at dusk, or Arctic Jaegers passing through coastal waters during autumn migration. The county's mosaic of habitats, including reedbeds, coastal cliffs, and remote fell country, makes it a rewarding destination for those seeking Britain's harder-to-find birds.

Wood Warbler
Wood WarblerSmallest · 11cm
to
Whooper Swan
Whooper SwanLargest · 165cm
Ranges from the Wood Warbler (11cm) to the Whooper Swan (165cm)33 families represented22 year-round residents

Showing 1–23 of 83 species

Arctic Jaeger

Arctic Jaeger

Stercorarius parasiticusLC

A rare spring passage migrant seen offshore from Cumbria's coast, often harassing terns and gulls as it heads north to breed.

May

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

Arctic Tern

Sterna paradisaeaLC

A rare summer breeder from May to July, nesting at a few coastal and island sites. Elegant in flight with deeply forked tail.

May–Jul

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

Atlantic Puffin

Fratercula arcticaVU

A rare passage visitor seen offshore in summer, occasionally close to the coast at St Bees Head. Does not breed in Cumbria.

Jun–Jul

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Bar-headed Goose

Bar-headed Goose

Anser indicusLC

A rare summer visitor, likely an escapee from wildfowl collections. Occasionally seen on lakes and wetlands in June and July.

Jun–Jul

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Bar-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit

Limosa lapponicaNT

A rare but year-round visitor to Cumbria's estuaries, favouring the sandy shores and mudflats of Morecambe Bay and the Solway.

May–Mar

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

Barn Owl

Tyto albaLC

A rare but year-round resident of lowland farmland and field margins. Often glimpsed at dusk hunting along roadsides and over rough grassland.

Aug–Jun

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

Black Grouse

Lyrurus tetrixLC

A rare spring visitor to moorland edges in the North Pennines fringe. Lekking males may be seen in April and May.

Apr–May

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

Black Guillemot

Cepphus grylleLC

A rare breeder on Cumbria's rocky coast, notably around St Bees Head. Distinctive red feet and white wing patches aid identification.

Apr–Jul

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

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Black Tern

Black Tern

Chlidonias nigerLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally seen in September at coastal pools and inland lakes during southward migration.

Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Black-tailed Godwit

Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa limosaNT

Present year-round in small numbers on Cumbrian estuaries and coastal wetlands. A declining species nationally, making local sightings notable.

Year-round

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

Bohemian Waxwing

Bombycilla garrulusLC

A rare and irruptive winter visitor, appearing in some years to feed on rowan and cotoneaster berries in Cumbrian towns.

Nov–Dec

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

Brambling

Fringilla montifringillaLC

A scarce winter visitor from Scandinavia, occasionally joining Chaffinch flocks at beech mast sites in Cumbrian woodlands from October to April.

Oct–Apr

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

Brent Goose

Branta berniclaLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to Cumbrian estuaries, mainly around Morecambe Bay. Present from autumn through to spring.

Sep–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Cetti's Warbler

Cetti's Warbler

Cettia cettiLC

A rare but expanding resident, its explosive song occasionally heard from dense wetland scrub at scattered Cumbrian sites.

Aug–Jun

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

Common Loon

Gavia immerLC

A rare non-breeding winter visitor, occasionally seen on larger lakes and coastal waters from November to January.

Nov–Jan

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Reed-warbler

Common Reed-warbler

Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC

A rare breeding visitor from April to September, found in small numbers in reedbeds at the edge of its northern range.

Apr–Sep

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

Common Scoter

Melanitta nigraLC

A rare resident seen in small numbers offshore, often in rafts on the Irish Sea off the Cumbrian coast.

Year-round

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

Common Tern

Sterna hirundoLC

A rare breeding visitor from May to August, found at gravel pits, lakes, and coastal sites. Plunge-dives for fish in shallow waters.

May–Aug

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

Curlew Sandpiper

Calidris ferrugineaNT

A scarce autumn passage migrant, briefly visiting coastal mudflats and estuarine margins in September.

Sep

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

Eurasian Bittern

Botaurus stellarisLC

A rare passage visitor in March, occasionally flushed from reedbeds around Morecambe Bay and lowland wetlands. Secretive and far more often heard than seen.

Mar

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

Eurasian Spoonbill

Platalea leucorodiaLC

A rare passage visitor recorded in winter and summer months at estuaries and wetlands. Increasingly seen in England as the species expands north.

Jan–Jul

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

Eurasian Woodcock

Scolopax rusticolaLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to Cumbrian woodlands and damp fields in winter. Numbers bolstered by continental migrants during cold spells.

Nov–Mar

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
European Bee-eater

European Bee-eater

Merops apiasterLC

An exceptionally rare passage vagrant, with occasional August records. A dazzling southern European species that causes great excitement when it appears.

Aug

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