Uncommon Birds in Devon
69 species matching this filter.
Devon's diverse landscapes — from the rugged coasts of Exmoor and the South Devon cliffs to the estuaries of the Exe and Taw — support a rich variety of birdlife, including 69 species classed as uncommon in the county. Among these are wetland specialists such as Black-tailed Godwit and Common Snipe, elusive songsters like Cetti's Warbler and Common Reed-warbler, and woodland birds including Bullfinch and European Green Woodpecker. Whether you're scanning mudflats, listening along reedbeds, or walking through ancient Devon hedgerows, these less frequently encountered species offer rewarding sightings for the patient observer.
Showing 1–23 of 69 species
Avocet
Recurvirostra avosettaLC
An elegant wader present on Devon's estuaries for much of the year. The Exe Estuary is a key site, with notable winter flocks.
Jun–Apr
Bar-tailed Godwit
Limosa lapponicaNT
Frequents Devon's estuaries, especially the Exe and Taw-Torridge, probing mudflats with its upturned bill. Most numerous in winter and on autumn passage.
Jul–May
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosaNT
A year-round presence on the Exe Estuary, one of the UK's key wintering sites. Feeds on mudflats in large flocks, with numbers peaking from autumn through spring.
Year-round
Brent Goose
Branta berniclaLC
An uncommon winter visitor to Devon's estuaries, especially the Exe. Dark-bellied birds predominate from autumn through to spring.
Sep–Apr
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of Devon's hedgerows and woodland edges. Shy and easily overlooked despite its striking plumage.
Year-round
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, skulking in dense reedbeds and waterside scrub. More often heard than seen, with its explosive song.
Year-round
Cirl Bunting
Emberiza cirlusLC
Devon is the UK stronghold for this scarce resident. Found on warm, sheltered farmland along the south coast, especially near the Labrador Bay RSPB reserve.
Year-round
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
Present year-round but most numerous in winter on estuaries, playing fields, and farmland. Less abundant than Herring or Black-headed Gulls.
Year-round
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Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
Found year-round along Devon's rivers and sheltered estuaries. A flash of electric blue darting low over the water.
Year-round
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, favouring Devon's rugged coastline and Dartmoor's tors. Deep cronking calls carry far across open landscapes.
Year-round
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
An uncommon summer visitor breeding in Devon's western oak woodlands and Dartmoor fringes from April to September.
Apr–Sep
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
An uncommon summer breeder in Devon's reedbeds from April to September. More restricted to Phragmites reed than the similar Sedge Warbler.
Apr–Sep
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
Bobs along Devon's rivers and rocky shores throughout the year. Breeds beside upland streams on Dartmoor and Exmoor, with wider dispersal in winter.
Year-round
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
Found year-round in wet meadows, marshes and estuary margins. Its distinctive 'drumming' display flight can be heard over Devon's moorland bogs in spring.
Aug–Jun
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
Breeds in Devon's towns and villages, screaming over rooftops from late April to September. Numbers have declined in recent decades.
Apr–Sep
Coot
Fulica atraLC
Found year-round on Devon's larger lakes and reservoirs. Less widespread than Moorhen, preferring open water with marginal vegetation.
Year-round
Cuckoo
Cuculus canorusLC
A declining summer visitor arriving in April, heard calling across Devon's moorland and woodland edges before departing by late June.
Apr–Jun
Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLC
Found year-round on Devon's estuaries, forming busy flocks on the Exe mudflats. Numbers peak in winter when Continental birds augment the resident population.
Year-round
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
A familiar resident of Devon's gardens, farms, and villages year-round. Its monotonous three-note call is a constant backdrop.
Year-round
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
An uncommon but widespread resident of Devon's oak woodlands and mature gardens. Its harsh screeching call often betrays its presence.
Year-round
Eurasian Nuthatch
Sitta europaeaLC
An uncommon resident of mature deciduous woodland, often seen spiralling down oak trunks. Sedentary and territorial throughout the year.
Year-round
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
An uncommon resident, breeding in conifer woods and visiting garden feeders in winter. Often found in alders along Devon's river valleys.
Year-round
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
An uncommon resident of Devon's open farmland and moorland edges. Declining due to agricultural intensification but still sings over Dartmoor's fringes.
Year-round