Rare Birds in Derbyshire

68 species matching this filter.

All birds in Derbyshire

Derbyshire's diverse landscapes—from the moorlands and limestone dales of the Peak District to lowland reservoirs and river valleys—occasionally attract rare and unexpected bird species. With 68 species classified as rare in the county, birders may encounter exciting visitors such as Bohemian Waxwing, Arctic Tern, Eurasian Bittern, and Hen Harrier, often during migration periods or harsh winter weather. These sightings make Derbyshire a rewarding destination for those willing to explore its varied habitats with patience and persistence.

Willow Tit
Willow TitSmallest · 11cm
to
Whooper Swan
Whooper SwanLargest · 165cm
Ranges from the Willow Tit (11cm) to the Whooper Swan (165cm)27 families represented23 year-round residents

Showing 1–23 of 68 species

Arctic Tern

Arctic Tern

Sterna paradisaeaLC

A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally seen at larger reservoirs in April during northward migration to breeding grounds.

Apr

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, hunting voles at dusk along field margins and river valleys.

Year-round

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

Barnacle Goose

Branta leucopsisLC

A rare resident, likely of feral origin. Small numbers frequent parkland lakes and reservoirs throughout much of the year.

Dec–Aug

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

Black Redstart

Phoenicurus ochrurosLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally spotted on rocky outcrops and industrial buildings in October. Much scarcer here than in southern England.

Oct

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

Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa limosaNT

A rare passage wader seen at reservoirs and wetland margins during late summer, typically July to September.

Jul–Sep

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

Bohemian Waxwing

Bombycilla garrulusLC

An irruptive winter visitor, appearing in some years in berry-laden trees around Derbyshire's towns and gardens from November to January.

Nov–Jan

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

Brambling

Fringilla montifringillaLC

A rare winter visitor from Scandinavia, sometimes joining Chaffinch flocks in beech woodland and around farmland from October to April.

Oct–Apr

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

Cattle Egret

Bubulcus ibisLC

A rare but increasingly recorded visitor, typically seen near livestock on lowland pastures. Part of a wider northward expansion across Britain.

Jun–Mar

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

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Common Loon

Common Loon

Gavia immerLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to larger reservoirs, mainly seen between December and April during harsh winter weather.

Dec–Apr

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

Common Quail

Coturnix coturnixLC

A rare and elusive summer visitor, occasionally heard calling from arable fields in June. Far more often heard than seen.

Jun

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

Common Scoter

Melanitta nigraLC

A rare passage visitor to Derbyshire's larger reservoirs in spring and late summer, this sea duck is always a notable inland record.

Mar–Aug

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

Common Shelduck

Tadorna tadornaLC

A rare resident, thinly spread on reservoirs and gravel pits. More typically coastal, it breeds sparingly inland in the county.

Year-round

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

Crag Martin

Ptyonoprogne rupestrisLC

An exceptionally rare passage visitor in November. Any Derbyshire record is a major county rarity.

Nov

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

Dunlin

Calidris alpinaLC

A scarce breeder on high Peak District moorlands, with small numbers also visiting lowland reservoirs on passage and in winter.

Mar–Dec

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

Dusky Thrush

Turdus eunomusLC

A rare vagrant from Siberia, recorded as a passage bird in December. An exceptional find for Derbyshire's county bird list.

Dec

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

Egyptian Goose

Alopochen aegyptiacaLC

A rare but increasing feral resident, found year-round on parkland lakes and gravel pits across lowland Derbyshire.

Year-round

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

Eurasian Bittern

Botaurus stellarisLC

A rare and secretive resident of reedbeds, most likely encountered at sites like Ogston Reservoir during spring and autumn.

Apr–Nov

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Passer montanusLC

A rare and localised resident, favouring farmland with mature hedgerows and visiting rural feeding stations in small flocks.

Year-round

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

Eurasian Woodcock

Scolopax rusticolaLC

A scarce resident of damp woodland floors, best detected during roding display flights over Peak District woods at dusk in spring.

Nov–Jul

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

Garganey

Spatula querquedulaLC

A rare passage migrant, occasionally stopping at lowland pools and reservoir margins in late summer on southward migration.

Aug

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

Golden Plover

Pluvialis apricariaLC

Breeds on the Dark Peak moors in summer and forms flocks on lowland fields in winter. A declining upland species of conservation concern.

Sep–Jul

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

Grasshopper Warbler

Locustella naeviaLC

A rare summer breeder with a distinctive reeling song, found in rough grassland and scrubby wetland margins from April to July.

Apr–Jul

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Great Black-backed Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Larus marinusLC

A scarce year-round resident, seen in small numbers at reservoirs and refuse tips among other large gull species.

Year-round

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