Rare Birds in Durham

105 species matching this filter.

All birds in Durham

Durham's diverse landscapes—from the rugged North Sea coastline to the upland moors of the Pennines—provide habitat for an impressive array of rare bird species. With 105 species classified as rare across the county, patient observers may be rewarded with sightings of Arctic Jaeger, Little Stint, and Barn Owl, among others. Coastal headlands, river valleys, and ancient woodlands each offer distinct opportunities for encountering these elusive visitors and scarce residents.

Yellow-browed Warbler
Yellow-browed WarblerSmallest · 10cm
to
Whooper Swan
Whooper SwanLargest · 165cm
Ranges from the Yellow-browed Warbler (10cm) to the Whooper Swan (165cm)37 families represented25 year-round residents

Showing 1–23 of 105 species

Arctic Jaeger

Arctic Jaeger

Stercorarius parasiticusLC

A rare passage migrant seen offshore from Durham's coast in late summer and autumn, often harassing terns and gulls for food.

Jul–Oct

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

Arctic Loon

Gavia arcticaLC

A rare non-breeding visitor in winter months, occasionally seen offshore or on larger reservoirs. Scarcer than Red-throated Loon.

Oct–Feb

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

Arctic Tern

Sterna paradisaeaLC

A rare passage migrant from July to September, seen offshore during autumn seawatches. Breeds further north on the Farne Islands.

Jul–Sep

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

Atlantic Puffin

Fratercula arcticaVU

Rarely seen offshore in June, occasionally passing Durham's coast. The nearest breeding colonies lie further north on the Farne Islands.

Jun

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

Avocet

Recurvirostra avosettaLC

A rare breeding visitor, part of the species' northward expansion. Present at coastal wetlands from late winter through autumn.

Feb–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Bar-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit

Limosa lapponicaNT

A rare non-breeding visitor to the Durham coast, mainly seen on passage at estuaries and rocky shores outside the summer months.

Jul–Mar

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

Barn Owl

Tyto albaLC

A rare but year-round resident, hunting over rough grassland and farmland. Ghostly white form sometimes seen at dusk along country lanes.

Year-round

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

Barnacle Goose

Branta leucopsisLC

A rare passage visitor recorded in February and October. Most sightings likely involve wild birds from the Svalbard population.

Oct–Feb

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

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Black Grouse

Black Grouse

Lyrurus tetrixLC

A rare and declining resident of moorland edges and rough pasture in the Durham dales. Males display at traditional lek sites in spring.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Black-tailed Godwit

Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa limosaNT

A rare year-round visitor to Durham's wetlands and coastal mudflats. Numbers have increased nationally but sightings here remain scarce.

Jun–Apr

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

Bohemian Waxwing

Bombycilla garrulusLC

An irruptive winter visitor, occasionally descending on Durham's berry-laden trees in towns during cold spells from December to February.

Dec–Feb

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

Brambling

Fringilla montifringillaLC

A rare winter visitor from Scandinavia, sometimes joining chaffinch flocks at woodland edges and farmland from October to April.

Oct–Apr

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

Brent Goose

Branta berniclaLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally seen along the Durham coast between September and November.

Sep–Nov

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

Cattle Egret

Bubulcus ibisLC

A rare autumn passage visitor reflecting the species' recent northward expansion in Britain. Typically found near livestock in lowland pastures.

Oct

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

Common Loon

Gavia immerLC

A rare winter visitor in December to February, occasionally found offshore or on large inland water bodies during cold spells.

Dec–Feb

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

Common Raven

Corvus coraxLC

A rare but increasing resident, favouring the western uplands and Pennine fringe. Deep cronking calls betray its presence.

Aug–May

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

Common Redpoll

Acanthis flammeaLC

A rare resident found in birch and alder woodland, sometimes visiting garden feeders in winter with siskin flocks.

Year-round

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

Common Redstart

Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC

A rare breeding visitor to Durham's upland oak woodlands from April to September, favouring mature trees with nest holes.

Apr–Sep

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

Common Reed-warbler

Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC

A rare breeding visitor near the northern limit of its range, found in reedbeds from April to August.

Apr–Aug

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

Common Scoter

Melanitta nigraLC

A rare but near year-round presence offshore. Small flocks are seen from the Durham coast, with numbers peaking during passage.

May–Mar

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

Common Snipe

Gallinago gallinagoLC

A scarce year-round resident of boggy moorland and wet meadows. Its drumming display in spring is heard on Durham's uplands but declining breeding numbers.

Year-round

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

Corn Bunting

Emberiza calandraLC

A rare and declining breeding species, clinging on in scattered arable farmland pockets. Its jangling song is now seldom heard in the county.

May–Jul

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

Curlew Sandpiper

Calidris ferrugineaNT

A rare autumn passage migrant, typically appearing at coastal pools and mudflats in August–September. Often found feeding alongside Dunlin.

Aug–Sep

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