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 47–68 of 68 species

Red-legged Partridge

Red-legged Partridge

Alectoris rufaNT

An introduced species found rarely on lowland farmland, mainly in the south of the county. Less established here than in southern England.

Year-round

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

Red-necked Grebe

Podiceps grisegenaLC

A rare winter visitor to Derbyshire's larger reservoirs, occasionally turning up in January during cold spells.

Jan

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

Red-throated Loon

Gavia stellataLC

A rare passage visitor to Derbyshire's larger reservoirs in midwinter, usually seen in basic plumage on open water.

Jan–Feb

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

Redshank

Tringa totanusLC

A scarce resident breeding on wet meadows and moorland fringes. Numbers have declined significantly across the county.

Nov–Sep

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

Ring Ouzel

Turdus torquatusLC

A rare and declining breeding visitor to the Peak District's gritstone edges and moorland cloughs. A prized sighting for local birders.

Apr–Oct

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

Ringed Plover

Charadrius hiaticulaLC

A rare breeding visitor to reservoir edges and gravel workings from spring to early autumn. Declining as a Derbyshire breeder.

Mar–Sep

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

Rock Pipit

Anthus petrosusLC

A rare passage migrant in October, occasionally turning up at reservoirs and rocky edges despite being primarily a coastal species.

Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Rose-ringed Parakeet

Rose-ringed Parakeet

Alexandrinus krameriLC

A rare winter visitor, occasionally recorded in suburban areas. Well north of the species' main range in southern England.

Dec–Feb

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

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Ruff

Ruff

Philomachus pugnaxLC

A rare passage visitor to muddy reservoir margins in late summer, typically seen in non-breeding plumage.

Aug–Sep

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

Sanderling

Calidris albaLC

A rare inland passage migrant, occasionally recorded at reservoir edges during May spring migration.

May

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Asio flammeusLC

A rare breeding visitor to Peak District moorlands, quartering rough grassland on long wings from April to July.

Apr–Jul

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

Smew

Mergellus albellusLC

A rare and prized winter visitor, occasionally appearing on Derbyshire reservoirs in January and February during cold spells from the continent.

Jan–Feb

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

Tawny Owl

Strix alucoLC

A resident of mature woodlands across the county, more often heard hooting at night than seen during the day.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Western Marsh-harrier

Western Marsh-harrier

Circus aeruginosusLC

A rare resident increasingly seen quartering reedbeds and wetland margins at lowland sites across Derbyshire.

Year-round

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

Whimbrel

Numenius phaeopusLC

A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally heard calling overhead or seen resting on moorland and reservoir edges in April and May.

Apr–May

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

Whinchat

Saxicola rubetraLC

A rare and declining breeder on the moorland edges of the Peak District, favouring bracken-covered slopes from April to September.

Apr–Sep

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

Whooper Swan

Cygnus cygnusLC

A rare winter visitor from Iceland, occasionally found on larger reservoirs and flooded fields between October and March.

Oct–Mar

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

Willow Tit

Poecile montanusLC

A rare and declining resident, favouring damp scrubby woodland. One of the UK's fastest-declining species, making Derbyshire records notable.

Year-round

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

Wood Sandpiper

Tringa glareolaLC

A rare August passage migrant, occasionally stopping at shallow pools and reservoir edges on southward migration.

Aug

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

Wood Warbler

Phylloscopus sibilatrixLC

A rare passage visitor in late spring, occasionally heard singing in mature oak woodland in the Peak District's western valleys.

May–Jun

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

Yellow Wagtail

Motacilla flavaLC

A rare and declining summer breeder in lowland Derbyshire, favouring damp meadows and arable fields from April to September.

Apr–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Yellow-legged Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Larus michahellisLC

A rare visitor to reservoirs and tips, with records scattered across the year. Requires careful separation from Herring Gull.

Jun–Jan

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