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 47–69 of 83 species

Little Stint

Little Stint

Calidris minutaLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally appearing on coastal pools and muddy fringes in September.

Sep

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

Little Tern

Sternula albifronsLC

A rare summer breeder from May to August, nesting on shingle beaches along the coast. A declining species needing undisturbed nesting sites.

May–Aug

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

Long-tailed Duck

Clangula hyemalisVU

A rare midwinter visitor, occasionally seen on coastal waters or large inland lakes. A scarce but prized find for local birders.

Jan

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

Mandarin Duck

Aix galericulataLC

A rare resident found on wooded lakes and rivers. Small feral populations persist, favouring sheltered waterways with overhanging trees.

Dec–Oct

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

Manx Shearwater

Puffinus puffinusLC

A rare passage visitor seen offshore from June to August. Best spotted from coastal headlands during onshore winds.

Jun–Aug

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

Marsh Tit

Poecile palustrisLC

A rare resident at the north-western edge of its British range, found in scattered broadleaved woodlands in southern Cumbria.

Year-round

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

Merlin

Falco columbariusLC

A rare resident of upland moors and bogs, moving to lower ground and coasts in winter. Britain's smallest falcon, fast and agile in pursuit of pipits.

Aug–May

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

Northern Gannet

Morus bassanusLC

A rare breeder seen off the Cumbrian coast from April to October, plunge-diving for fish in the Irish Sea.

Apr–Oct

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

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Northern Pintail

Northern Pintail

Anas acutaLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to estuaries and coastal marshes, mainly from autumn to spring. Morecambe Bay is a key site.

Sep–Apr

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

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinusLC

A rare but year-round resident, nesting on crags and quarry faces. Increasingly seen hunting over Cumbrian towns as well as wild fell country.

Year-round

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

Pochard

Aythya ferinaVU

A rare non-breeding visitor to lowland lakes and reservoirs. Numbers have declined nationally, making sightings increasingly notable.

Jun–Mar

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

Purple Sandpiper

Calidris maritimaLC

A rare passage visitor to rocky shores and harbour walls along the Cumbrian coast, recorded mainly in midwinter.

Jan

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

Razorbill

Alca tordaLC

A rare breeding seabird at St Bees Head, Cumbria's only seabird cliff colony. Present from spring through summer on narrow ledges.

Mar–Sep

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

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostraLC

A scarce resident of Cumbria's conifer plantations, with numbers fluctuating markedly between years depending on spruce cone crops.

May–Mar

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

Red Kite

Milvus milvusLC

A rare breeding visitor, part of a slowly recovering population in northern England. Seen soaring over valleys and farmland from March to September.

Mar–Sep

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

Red Knot

Calidris canutusNT

Found in small numbers on Morecambe Bay and Solway mudflats, mainly outside summer. Large winter flocks are increasingly scarce nationally.

Jul–May

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

Red-legged Partridge

Alectoris rufaNT

A rare resident of lowland farmland, near the north-western edge of its range. Prefers arable fields and hedgerow margins.

Year-round

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

Red-necked Grebe

Podiceps grisegenaLC

A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded in November on coastal waters and larger lakes during autumn dispersal.

Nov

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

Red-throated Loon

Gavia stellataLC

A rare resident, breeding on remote upland tarns and wintering along the coast. Absent in summer months from lowland areas.

Sep–May

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

Ring Ouzel

Turdus torquatusLC

A rare and declining summer breeder on high Lakeland crags and fell-sides. Look for its distinctive white breast crescent.

Apr–Jun

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

Rock Pipit

Anthus petrosusLC

A scarce resident of Cumbria's rocky coastline, foraging among seaweed-strewn boulders at St Bees Head and along the Solway shore.

Year-round

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

Ruff

Philomachus pugnaxLC

A rare wader found on coastal estuaries and inland pools, mainly on autumn passage. Morecambe Bay fringes offer the best chances.

Jul–Mar

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

Sanderling

Calidris albaLC

A rare but year-round visitor to sandy beaches along the Cumbrian coast, often seen in small flocks running along the tideline.

Year-round

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