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 24–46 of 50 species

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Dendrocopos majorLC

An uncommon resident of mature broadleaved and mixed woodlands, often betrayed by its loud drumming in spring.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Great White Egret

Great White Egret

Ardea albaLC

An increasingly regular sight at Derbyshire wetlands year-round, reflecting a national expansion from continental Europe.

Year-round

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

Grey Wagtail

Motacilla cinereaLC

An uncommon resident along fast-flowing rivers and streams in the Peak District, bobbing its long tail on rocks year-round.

Year-round

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

Greylag Goose

Anser anserLC

An uncommon resident found year-round on lakes, reservoirs and riverside meadows. Feral populations breed alongside truly wild birds.

Year-round

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

Hobby

Falco subbuteoLC

An uncommon summer breeder, hunting dragonflies over reservoirs and heathland from May to early autumn.

May–Oct

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

Linnet

Linaria cannabinaLC

An uncommon resident of farmland, heathland, and gorse-covered slopes, often forming flocks on stubble fields in winter.

Year-round

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

Little Egret

Egretta garzettaLC

An uncommon but increasing resident, found at reservoirs, river margins and wetlands across the county.

Year-round

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

Little Grebe

Tachybaptus ruficollisLC

A year-round resident on ponds, canals, and sheltered reservoir bays. Its whinnying trill is often heard before the bird is seen.

Year-round

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

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Little Ringed Plover

Little Ringed Plover

Charadrius dubiusLC

An uncommon summer breeder at gravel pits and reservoir margins, arriving in March. Often the first returning wader of spring.

Mar–Sep

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

Mandarin Duck

Aix galericulataLC

An uncommon but established resident, favouring wooded rivers and lakes. Often secretive, nesting in tree holes near water.

Year-round

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

Northern Shoveler

Spatula clypeataLC

An uncommon resident found on shallow, muddy-edged pools and reservoirs. Numbers increase in winter with continental arrivals.

Year-round

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

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinusLC

An uncommon year-round resident, often seen hunting from Derby Cathedral and the gritstone edges of the Peak District.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Pink-footed Goose

Pink-footed Goose

Anser brachyrhynchusLC

An uncommon winter visitor, with skeins sometimes heard overhead. Flocks graze farmland and gather at larger reservoirs.

Sep–Apr

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

Pochard

Aythya ferinaVU

An uncommon and declining resident, breeding sparingly on lowland pools. Winter numbers are bolstered by continental birds.

Year-round

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

Rock Dove

Columba liviaLC

Feral populations inhabit towns and cities year-round, while purer forms cling on around limestone dales and quarry faces in the Peak District.

Year-round

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

Sand Martin

Riparia ripariaLC

An uncommon summer visitor breeding in sandy riverbanks and quarry faces, often seen hawking insects over reservoirs.

Mar–Sep

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

Sedge Warbler

Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC

An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April, found in reedbeds and waterside vegetation at reservoirs and river margins.

Apr–Sep

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

Sparrowhawk

Accipiter nisusLC

An uncommon but widespread resident, hunting small birds in woodlands, hedgerows and gardens throughout the county.

Year-round

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

Spotted Flycatcher

Muscicapa striataLC

An uncommon and declining summer visitor to open woodland and parkland edges, arriving in May. Sallies from exposed perches to catch insects.

May–Sep

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

Stock Dove

Columba oenasLC

An uncommon but widespread resident, nesting in tree holes across farmland and parkland. Often overlooked among flocks of Woodpigeons.

Year-round

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

Stonechat

Saxicola torquatusLC

An uncommon resident found on gorse-clad moorland fringes and rough grassland year-round, often perching prominently on bushes.

Year-round

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

Tree Pipit

Anthus trivialisLC

An uncommon summer visitor to open woodland and heathland edges, recognised by its distinctive descending song flight from April to September.

Apr–Sep

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

Treecreeper

Certhia familiarisLC

An unobtrusive resident spiralling up tree trunks in mature woodland. Favours oak and ash woods across the county year-round.

Year-round

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