Uncommon Birds in Devon

69 species matching this filter.

All birds in Devon

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.

Firecrest
FirecrestSmallest · 9cm
to
Northern Gannet
Northern GannetLargest · 100cm
Ranges from the Firecrest (9cm) to the Northern Gannet (100cm)33 families represented49 year-round residents

Showing 47–69 of 69 species

Red-breasted Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Mergus serratorLC

Winters on Devon's estuaries and sheltered coasts, often seen fishing in small groups on the Exe or Taw-Torridge estuaries.

Oct–Apr

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

Redwing

Turdus iliacusNT

An uncommon winter visitor from Scandinavia, arriving from October. Feeds on berries in hedgerows and fields, often alongside fieldfares.

Oct–Mar

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

Reed Bunting

Emberiza schoeniclusLC

An uncommon resident of reedbeds, marshes, and wet ditches. Found at sites like the Exe Estuary and Slapton Ley throughout the year.

Year-round

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

Ringed Plover

Charadrius hiaticulaLC

Present year-round on Devon's shingle beaches and estuarine mudflats. Breeds on a few coastal sites but numbers remain modest.

Year-round

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

Rock Dove

Columba liviaLC

Found year-round along Devon's sea cliffs and in towns as feral pigeons. True wild-type birds favour rocky coastal ledges.

Year-round

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

Rock Pipit

Anthus petrosusLC

An uncommon resident of Devon's rocky coastline, foraging along wave-splashed shores and harbour walls throughout the year.

Year-round

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

Ruddy Turnstone

Arenaria interpresLC

Forages along Devon's rocky shorelines and harbour walls, flipping stones and seaweed to find invertebrates. Present most months but absent in midsummer.

Jul–May

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

Sand Martin

Riparia ripariaLC

An uncommon summer breeder, nesting in sandy riverbanks and quarries. Arrives from March and gathers in flocks before departing by October.

Mar–Oct

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

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Sandwich Tern

Sandwich Tern

Thalasseus sandvicensisLC

An uncommon breeder present from March to October. Plunge-dives for fish along Devon's coast and is often the first tern to arrive in spring.

Mar–Oct

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, favouring Devon's reedbeds and waterside scrub. Delivers a rapid, chattering song from dense cover.

Apr–Sep

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

Sparrowhawk

Accipiter nisusLC

A year-round resident, hunting small birds in Devon's woodlands, hedgerows, and gardens. Often dashes low through cover.

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 breeder in Devon's oak woodlands and churchyards, arriving in May and departing by October.

May–Oct

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

Stock Dove

Columba oenasLC

A quiet, unobtrusive resident of Devon's mature woodlands and parkland. Often overlooked but identified by its black eye and wing bars.

Year-round

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

Tree Pipit

Anthus trivialisLC

An uncommon summer visitor breeding on Dartmoor's wooded fringes and heathland edges, recognised by its parachuting song flight.

Apr–Sep

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

Treecreeper

Certhia familiarisLC

An uncommon but widespread resident, creeping mouse-like up tree trunks in Devon's woodlands and mature gardens throughout the year.

Year-round

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

Tufted Duck

Aythya fuligulaLC

An uncommon year-round resident on Devon's lakes and reservoirs. Numbers peak in winter when birds gather on larger water bodies.

Year-round

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

Water Rail

Rallus aquaticusLC

A secretive bird of Devon's reedbeds and marshes, more often heard than seen. Most frequently detected in winter months.

Aug–Apr

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

Wheatear

Oenanthe oenantheLC

An uncommon summer breeder on Dartmoor's open moorland and stone walls, also seen on coastal headlands during spring passage.

Mar–Oct

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

Whimbrel

Numenius phaeopusLC

Passes through Devon's estuaries and coasts mainly in spring and autumn. Its distinctive seven-note whistle aids identification.

Apr–Oct

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

Whitethroat

Curruca communisLC

An uncommon summer visitor breeding in hedgerows, scrub and bramble patches. Its scratchy song is heard across Devon from April to September.

Apr–Sep

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

Willow Warbler

Phylloscopus trochilusLC

An uncommon summer breeder favouring scrubby woodland edges and moorland fringes. Numbers have declined in recent decades across Devon.

Mar–Oct

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.

Jun–Apr

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

Yellowhammer

Emberiza citrinellaLC

An uncommon but year-round resident of hedgerows and arable farmland. Males sing their distinctive song from prominent perches in spring and summer.

Year-round

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