Rare Birds in Devon

91 species matching this filter.

All birds in Devon

Devon's diverse landscapes — from the rugged coastlines of Exmoor and the South Devon cliffs to the ancient woodlands of Dartmoor — provide occasional refuge for some of Britain's rarest bird species. With 91 rare species recorded in the county, patient observers may encounter elusive visitors such as the Great Grey Shrike, Arctic Jaeger, and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Devon's mix of estuaries, moorland, and sheltered valleys makes it a rewarding destination for birders hoping to add uncommon sightings to their lists.

Yellow-browed Warbler
Yellow-browed WarblerSmallest · 10cm
to
Black Swan
Black SwanLargest · 142cm
Ranges from the Yellow-browed Warbler (10cm) to the Black Swan (142cm)34 families represented26 year-round residents

Showing 70–91 of 91 species

Red-throated Loon

Red-throated Loon

Gavia stellataLC

A rare non-breeding visitor from November to April. Seen in Devon's coastal waters and estuaries, often flying low over the sea.

Nov–Apr

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

Ring Ouzel

Turdus torquatusLC

A rare passage migrant glimpsed briefly in April and October on Dartmoor's high ground and coastal headlands during migration.

Oct–Apr

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

Rose-ringed Parakeet

Alexandrinus krameriLC

A rare resident, with small numbers established around Exeter and other Devon towns. A non-native species slowly spreading from south-east England.

Year-round

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

Roseate Tern

Sterna dougalliiLC

A rare and elegant passage visitor in July. One of Britain's scarcest breeding terns, occasionally seen off Devon's coast during dispersal.

Jul

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

Ruff

Philomachus pugnaxLC

A scarce non-breeding visitor to freshwater marshes and estuary edges. Most records fall between autumn and early spring, often involving single birds.

Jul–Mar

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

Sanderling

Calidris albaLC

Scarce but regular on Devon's sandy beaches, running rapidly along the tideline. Most likely on south coast beaches in winter and during passage periods.

Jul–May

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

Short-eared Owl

Asio flammeusLC

A rare passage visitor in November, occasionally seen hunting over Devon's coastal marshes and rough grassland.

Nov

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

Snow Bunting

Plectrophenax nivalisLC

A rare passage visitor, occasionally seen on exposed coastal sites and beaches in autumn and early winter. Most records come from October and November.

Oct–Jan

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

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Sooty Shearwater

Sooty Shearwater

Ardenna griseaNT

A rare August passage migrant from the southern oceans, occasionally spotted during seawatches off Devon's headlands.

Aug

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

Spotted Redshank

Tringa erythropusLC

Scarce but regular on the Exe and other estuaries, often feeding apart from common Redshanks. Most likely seen in autumn passage and winter months.

Jul–Apr

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

Tawny Owl

Strix alucoLC

A secretive year-round resident of Devon's mature woodlands and wooded gardens. More often heard than seen after dark.

Year-round

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

Velvet Scoter

Melanitta fuscaVU

A rare winter visitor to Devon's coastal waters. Usually found singly among Common Scoter flocks offshore.

Nov–Jan

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

Water Pipit

Anthus spinolettaLC

A rare winter visitor to Devon's watercress beds and marshy stream edges, present from November to March.

Nov–Mar

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

Western Marsh-harrier

Circus aeruginosusLC

A rare but increasingly seen resident, quartering reedbeds and marshes on Devon's estuaries and wetland reserves.

Jul–May

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

Whinchat

Saxicola rubetraLC

A rare and declining summer breeder on rough moorland margins, most likely encountered on Dartmoor's bracken-covered slopes.

Apr–Sep

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

Willow Tit

Poecile montanusLC

A rare passage visitor in late winter, on the very edge of its declining UK range. Devon lies well south of its remaining strongholds.

Feb–Mar

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

Wood Sandpiper

Tringa glareolaLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, typically appearing briefly at freshwater marshes and scrapes in August. Devon records are infrequent and highly prized by birders.

Aug

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

Wood Warbler

Phylloscopus sibilatrixLC

A rare and declining breeder in Devon's mature oak woodlands, mainly on Dartmoor's fringes. Present briefly from April to June.

Apr–Jun

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

Wryneck

Jynx torquillaLC

A rare autumn passage migrant in August and September, turning up in coastal scrub and gardens during easterly winds.

Aug–Sep

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

Yellow Wagtail

Motacilla flavaLC

A rare passage migrant through Devon in spring and autumn, occasionally seen on coastal fields and wetland margins.

Apr–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Yellow-browed Warbler

Yellow-browed Warbler

Phylloscopus inornatusLC

A rare autumn and winter visitor from Siberia, occasionally found in coastal scrub and gardens, mainly around October and November.

Oct–Jan

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

Yellow-legged Gull

Larus michahellisLC

An uncommon resident with additional rare passage birds in summer and autumn. Most reliably seen at coastal tips and harbours, peaking in late summer.

Jul–Oct

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