Rare Birds in Derbyshire
68 species matching this filter.
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.
Showing 24–46 of 68 species
Great Grey Shrike
Lanius excubitorLC
A rare passage visitor in December, sometimes found on moorland edges and open scrubby heathland in the Peak District.
Dec
Greater Scaup
Aythya marilaLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally joining diving duck flocks on larger reservoirs in late autumn and winter.
Nov–Jan
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifronsLC
A rare spring passage visitor, occasionally dropping in to graze flooded fields or reservoir margins during March.
Mar
Green Sandpiper
Tringa ochropusLC
A scarce but regular visitor to muddy pool edges and reservoir margins, seen on passage and in winter months.
Jul–Apr
Greenshank
Tringa nebulariaLC
A rare autumn passage wader visiting reservoir shores and shallow pools, mainly in August and September.
Aug–Sep
Grey Partridge
Perdix perdixLC
A declining resident of lowland farmland in the south and east of the county. Increasingly rare due to agricultural intensification.
Nov–May
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC
A rare and elusive winter visitor, occasionally seen in mature deciduous woodland and parkland from November to February.
Nov–Feb
Hen Harrier
Circus cyaneusLC
A rare passage visitor to Peak District moorlands, occasionally seen in July and October over open upland terrain.
Jul–Oct
Spotted something?
Upload a photo to identify it
Identify
Jack Snipe
Lymnocryptes minimusLC
A secretive and rare passage visitor to boggy margins and wet meadows, occasionally flushed in January and November.
Nov–Jan
Lesser Whitethroat
Curruca currucaLC
A rare breeding visitor to tall hedgerows and scrub in lowland Derbyshire, arriving in April. Its rattling song is distinctive but localised.
Apr–Aug
Little Gull
Hydrocoloeus minutusLC
A rare spring passage visitor, occasionally seen at larger reservoirs in April, often associating with Black-headed Gull flocks.
Apr
Little Owl
Athene noctuaLC
A rare resident of lowland farmland with old trees and stone walls, often heard giving its piercing call at dusk.
Year-round
Long-eared Owl
Asio otusLC
A rare and elusive passage visitor, occasionally recorded in late spring around conifer plantations and moorland fringes.
May–Jun
Marsh Tit
Poecile palustrisLC
A rare non-breeding visitor recorded in autumn and winter, occasionally found in mature broadleaved woodland.
Nov–Mar
Merlin
Falco columbariusLC
A rare breeding bird of Peak District moorlands, dashing low over heather in pursuit of pipits and small birds.
Apr–Oct
Muscovy Duck
Cairina moschataLC
A rare visitor of captive origin, occasionally recorded on park lakes and waterways in December.
Dec
Nightjar
Caprimulgus europaeusLC
A rare breeding visitor to heathland and young conifer plantations, arriving in May. Best detected by its churring song at dusk.
May–Jul
Northern Goshawk
Accipiter gentilisLC
A rare but increasing resident breeding in mature woodland, particularly in the larger forests of the Peak District.
Year-round
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to reservoirs and flooded fields, mainly between autumn and early spring.
Sep–Mar
Osprey
Pandion haliaetusLC
A rare but thrilling passage migrant, occasionally seen fishing at Carsington Water and other large reservoirs in late summer.
Jun–Sep
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare and nomadic resident of conifer plantations, with numbers varying greatly between years depending on cone crops.
Year-round
Red Kite
Milvus milvusLC
A rare but increasing resident, now seen soaring over farmland and valleys as the population slowly spreads northward.
Year-round
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufinaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor of uncertain origin, occasionally appearing on larger reservoirs and gravel pits in winter.
Sep–Mar