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 24–46 of 83 species

European Green Woodpecker

European Green Woodpecker

Picus viridisLC

A rare resident found in parkland, open woodland and field edges. Its loud, laughing call carries far but it can be surprisingly hard to spot.

Year-round

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

European Shag

Phalacrocorax aristotelisLC

A rare resident along rocky coastlines, breeding at St Bees Head. Smaller and darker than the Great Cormorant, preferring saltwater.

Jun–Apr

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

Fulmar

Fulmarus glacialisLC

A rare breeder at St Bees Head cliffs from April to August. Stiff-winged flight and musky smell distinguish this tube-nosed seabird.

Apr–Aug

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

Garganey

Spatula querquedulaLC

A rare passage migrant glimpsed on freshwater pools in spring and again briefly in September.

Apr–Sep

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

Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetosLC

A rare breeding bird in the remote Lakeland fells, representing one of England's very few territories. Sightings are extremely scarce and highly prized.

Apr–Jul

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

Golden Plover

Pluvialis apricariaLC

Breeds on high Cumbrian fells and moorland in summer. In winter, flocks gather on lowland fields and coastal marshes.

Year-round

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

Grasshopper Warbler

Locustella naeviaLC

A rare and secretive summer breeder, more often heard reeling from dense grassland and scrub than seen.

Apr–Aug

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Great White Egret

Great White Egret

Ardea albaLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to Cumbrian wetlands and estuaries, increasingly recorded in recent years. Present from autumn through winter and into early spring.

Aug–Mar

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

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Greater Scaup

Greater Scaup

Aythya marilaLC

A rare winter visitor to coastal waters and sheltered bays. Small numbers may appear on the Solway Firth or Morecambe Bay.

Oct–Mar

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Greater White-fronted Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose

Anser albifronsLC

A rare winter passage visitor, occasionally seen in January and February on coastal marshes and estuarine fields.

Jan–Feb

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

Green Sandpiper

Tringa ochropusLC

A rare visitor to freshwater margins and ditches, mainly on passage in spring and autumn. Often solitary and easily overlooked.

Mar–Oct

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

Greenshank

Tringa nebulariaLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to estuaries and lakeshores, most often seen during autumn passage on the Solway or inland wetlands.

Jul–Mar

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

Grey Plover

Pluvialis squatarolaLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to Cumbria's estuaries, mainly seen on the Solway and Morecambe Bay mudflats outside summer months.

Aug–Apr

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

Hawfinch

Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC

A rare passage visitor, occasionally noted in spring and late autumn. Cumbria lies outside its core UK range, making any sighting notable.

Nov–Apr

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

Hen Harrier

Circus cyaneusLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to Cumbrian moorlands and coastal marshes in winter. Persecution on upland grouse moors continues to limit its presence.

Nov–Feb

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

Hobby

Falco subbuteoLC

A rare summer breeding visitor from May to September, hunting dragonflies over wetlands and open country. At the northern edge of its English range.

May–Sep

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

Hooded Crow

Corvus cornixLC

A rare passage visitor, occasionally turning up in December. Cumbria lies near the hybrid zone with Carrion Crow.

Dec

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

Hooded Merganser

Lophodytes cucullatusLC

A rare spring vagrant of uncertain origin, occasionally recorded on Cumbrian lakes in April and May.

Apr–May

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

Jack Snipe

Lymnocryptes minimusLC

A secretive winter visitor to boggy marshes and wet meadows, rarely seen due to its cryptic habits. Most records from November to January.

Nov–Jan

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

Kittiwake

Rissa tridactylaVU

Breeds in small numbers at St Bees Head cliffs from spring through autumn. This declining seabird is a prized sight along Cumbria's coast.

Mar–Nov

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

Lesser Whitethroat

Curruca currucaLC

A rare breeding visitor from April to August, found in tall hedgerows and scrubby areas in lowland Cumbria.

Apr–Aug

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

Little Gull

Hydrocoloeus minutusLC

A rare passage visitor in May, occasionally spotted at coastal estuaries and inland lakes during spring migration.

May

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

Little Ringed Plover

Charadrius dubiusLC

A rare summer breeder on gravel pits and riverine shingle banks. Arrives in April and departs by August.

Apr–Aug

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