Rare Birds in Cumbria
83 species matching this filter.
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.
Showing 70–83 of 83 species
Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensisLC
A rare breeder present March to September along the coast. The largest of Cumbria's breeding terns, often seen at Hodbarrow and estuaries.
Mar–Sep
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeusLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally noted over open moorland and rough grassland. Hunts with buoyant, wavering flight low over the ground.
Jun
Smew
Mergellus albellusLC
A rare late-winter visitor, occasionally appearing on sheltered lakes and reservoirs during cold spells from the continent.
Feb
Spotted Redshank
Tringa erythropusLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally seen on Cumbrian estuaries in August. Longer-legged and darker than common Redshank.
Aug
Twite
Linaria flavirostrisLC
A rare winter visitor, with small flocks sometimes found along the Solway coast and saltmarshes. A declining species across the UK.
Nov–Mar
Western Marsh-harrier
Circus aeruginosusLC
A rare resident associated with lowland reedbeds and marshes around the Solway and coastal fringes. Slowly increasing as wetland habitats are restored.
Year-round
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopusLC
A rare breeder on Cumbrian uplands, with most sightings during spring and autumn passage along the coast and estuaries.
Apr–Sep
Whinchat
Saxicola rubetraLC
A rare and declining summer breeder on rough upland pastures and bracken slopes, arriving in May.
May–Sep
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Whooper Swan
Cygnus cygnusLC
A winter visitor to lowland lakes and estuaries, arriving from Iceland. Flocks gather on wetlands from autumn to early spring.
Sep–Apr
Wood Sandpiper
Tringa glareolaLC
A rare passage migrant through Cumbria in July and August, favouring freshwater pools and marshy edges on its southward journey.
Jul–Aug
Wood Warbler
Phylloscopus sibilatrixLC
A rare and declining summer breeder, favouring sessile oak woodlands in the Lake District from April to July.
Apr–Jul
Yellow Wagtail
Motacilla flavaLC
A rare passage visitor through Cumbria, occasionally seen on lowland farmland during spring and autumn migration.
May–Sep
Yellow-legged Gull
Larus michahellisLC
A rare passage visitor noted in late summer and autumn, typically among mixed gull flocks at coastal roosts and estuaries.
Jul–Oct
Yellowhammer
Emberiza citrinellaLC
A rare and declining resident, now largely confined to lowland farmland with thick hedgerows in the Eden Valley and coastal fringe.
Year-round