Uncommon Birds in Derbyshire

50 species matching this filter.

All birds in Derbyshire

Derbyshire supports a diverse range of uncommon bird species across its varied landscapes, from the moorlands of the Peak District to the reservoirs, river valleys, and woodlands of the lowlands. Around 50 species are classified as uncommon in the county, including notable birds such as Cetti's Warbler, Common Redstart, Goldeneye, and European Green Woodpecker. These species reward patient observers who explore the county's rich mosaic of habitats throughout the year.

Stonechat
StonechatSmallest · 11.5cm
to
Great White Egret
Great White EgretLargest · 104cm
Ranges from the Stonechat (11.5cm) to the Great White Egret (104cm)26 families represented34 year-round residents

Showing 1–23 of 50 species

Cetti's Warbler

Cetti's Warbler

Cettia cettiLC

An uncommon resident slowly colonising Derbyshire's wetland margins. More often heard than seen, its explosive song erupts from dense scrub.

Year-round

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

Common Gull

Larus canusLC

An uncommon resident frequenting reservoirs, playing fields, and farmland, with numbers boosted by winter visitors.

Jul–May

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

Common Kingfisher

Alcedo atthisLC

An uncommon but dazzling resident along clean rivers and streams, also visiting canal banks and reservoir edges.

Year-round

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

Common Merganser

Mergus merganserLC

An uncommon resident found year-round on the county's rivers and reservoirs. Known locally as Goosander, often seen on the Derwent and Dove.

Year-round

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

Common Raven

Corvus coraxLC

An uncommon but recovering resident, increasingly seen soaring over gritstone edges and upland valleys in the Peak District.

Year-round

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

Common Redpoll

Acanthis flammeaLC

An uncommon resident favouring birch and alder woodland, with numbers boosted in some winters by Continental immigrants.

Year-round

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

Common Redstart

Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC

An uncommon summer visitor breeding in mature oak woodland and along stone walls in the Peak District, arriving from April.

Apr–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Reed-warbler

Common Reed-warbler

Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC

An uncommon summer breeder present April to September, favouring phragmites reedbeds at lowland reservoirs and gravel pits.

Apr–Sep

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

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Common Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucosLC

An uncommon summer breeder along rocky rivers and reservoir edges, bobbing characteristically on stones from April to September.

Apr–Sep

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

Common Snipe

Gallinago gallinagoLC

Present year-round in marshy fields and moorland bogs. Breeds on upland mires and disperses to lowland wetlands in winter.

Year-round

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

Common Tern

Sterna hirundoLC

An uncommon summer breeder at larger reservoirs, nesting on islands and rafts from April to September.

Apr–Sep

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

Cuckoo

Cuculus canorusLC

An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April, favouring moorland edges and wooded valleys. Declining across the county in recent decades.

Apr–Jul

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

Dipper

Cinclus cinclusLC

An iconic resident of fast-flowing Peak District rivers and streams. Bobs on midstream rocks and nests under bridges along the Derwent and Dove.

Year-round

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

Eurasian Jay

Garrulus glandariusLC

An uncommon resident of broadleaved and mixed woodland, often heard giving its harsh screaming call in autumn as it caches acorns.

Year-round

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

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Haematopus ostralegusNT

An uncommon breeder along river shingle and reservoir margins, arriving from late winter. Has spread inland in recent decades.

Jan–Sep

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

Eurasian Skylark

Alauda arvensisLC

An uncommon resident of open farmland and moorland fringes, declining in the uplands but still singing over Peak District grasslands.

Year-round

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

Eurasian Wigeon

Mareca penelopeLC

An uncommon resident with numbers boosted in winter. Flocks graze flooded pastures and gather on larger reservoirs.

Jul–May

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
European Green Woodpecker

European Green Woodpecker

Picus viridisLC

An uncommon resident of parkland and woodland edges in the lowlands, recognised by its loud, laughing call.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
European Herring Gull

European Herring Gull

Larus argentatusLC

Present year-round at reservoirs, tips, and urban rooftops. Less numerous inland than on the coast but regularly encountered.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
European Pied Flycatcher

European Pied Flycatcher

Ficedula hypoleucaLC

An uncommon summer breeder favouring oak woodlands in the western Peak District, often using nestboxes. Present from April to July.

Apr–Jul

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

Gadwall

Mareca streperaLC

An uncommon but increasing resident, breeding at gravel pits and reservoirs. Favours well-vegetated lowland waterbodies.

Year-round

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

Garden Warbler

Sylvia borinLC

An unobtrusive summer breeder in dense scrubby woodland, present from April to August. Easier to hear than to see among thick undergrowth.

Apr–Aug

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

Goldeneye

Bucephala clangulaLC

An uncommon winter visitor to reservoirs and larger lakes, present mainly from autumn to spring. Males are striking with their glossy green heads.

Jul–May

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