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 24–46 of 105 species

Eurasian Spoonbill

Eurasian Spoonbill

Platalea leucorodiaLC

A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded at coastal wetlands. Sightings in Durham remain scarce but are increasing nationally.

Sep–Jan

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

Eurasian Woodcock

Scolopax rusticolaLC

A scarce resident of Durham's mature woodlands, most often seen during its roding display flights at dusk in spring. Winter numbers boosted by continental arrivals.

Oct–Jun

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
European Green Woodpecker

European Green Woodpecker

Picus viridisLC

A rare resident near the northern edge of its UK range. Its loud, laughing call carries across parkland and woodland edges.

Jan–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
European Pied Flycatcher

European Pied Flycatcher

Ficedula hypoleucaLC

A rare breeding visitor to mature oak woodland, particularly in the western dales. Readily takes to nestboxes where provided.

Apr–Sep

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

European Shag

Phalacrocorax aristotelisLC

A rare resident along Durham's rocky coastline. Smaller and darker than the Great Cormorant, with a distinctive wispy crest in spring.

Jun–Mar

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

Fulmar

Fulmarus glacialisLC

A rare breeder along Durham's coastal cliffs, present from spring through autumn. Stiff-winged flight distinguishes it from gulls offshore.

Jan–Sep

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

Grasshopper Warbler

Locustella naeviaLC

A rare and secretive summer breeder, more often heard reeling from dense scrub and rough grassland than seen.

Apr–Jul

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

Great Skua

Catharacta skuaLC

A rare passage visitor off the Durham coast in August and September, often seen harassing other seabirds during autumn seawatching sessions.

Aug–Sep

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

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Great White Egret

Great White Egret

Ardea albaLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to wetlands and reservoirs, mainly in autumn and winter. Part of a recent national range expansion.

Aug–Feb

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

Greater Scaup

Aythya marilaLC

A rare visitor, with occasional records in summer. Most likely seen on coastal waters or larger inland reservoirs.

Jul

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Greater White-fronted Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose

Anser albifronsLC

A rare winter visitor, occasionally recorded in January among flocks of other grey geese on farmland and wetlands.

Jan

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

Green Sandpiper

Tringa ochropusLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, typically seen at freshwater pools and muddy margins in August and September. Often solitary and easily overlooked.

Aug–Sep

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

Greenshank

Tringa nebulariaLC

A rare but regular visitor, mainly on autumn passage from July to October at reservoirs and coastal wetlands. Distinctive ringing call aids identification.

Jul–Mar

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

Grey Partridge

Perdix perdixLC

A rare and declining resident of arable farmland in lowland Durham. Numbers have fallen sharply due to agricultural intensification.

Year-round

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

Grey Plover

Pluvialis squatarolaLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to the Durham coastline, found on mudflats and rocky shores mainly from late summer through winter.

Aug–Feb

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

Hawfinch

Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC

A rare and elusive passage visitor, occasionally recorded in Durham's mature woodlands during winter months.

Jan–Feb

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

Hen Harrier

Circus cyaneusLC

A rare passage visitor in late summer, occasionally seen quartering over moorland and coastal fields in August and September.

Aug–Sep

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

Horned Grebe

Podiceps auritusVU

A rare passage visitor in winter and autumn, occasionally found on sheltered coastal waters or larger inland reservoirs.

Oct–Feb

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

Horned Lark

Eremophila alpestrisLC

A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded along the Durham coast in late winter. Favours short-cropped coastal grassland.

Feb

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

Jack Snipe

Lymnocryptes minimusLC

A secretive and rare passage visitor, occasionally flushed from boggy margins and wet meadows. Most likely encountered in late winter.

Feb

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

Kittiwake

Rissa tridactylaVU

Breeds in small numbers on Durham's coastal cliffs from spring through autumn. This declining species is increasingly scarce across the UK.

Mar–Nov

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

Lapland Longspur

Calcarius lapponicusLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally recorded on coastal stubble fields and short grassland around Durham in September.

Sep

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

Lesser Whitethroat

Curruca currucaLC

A rare breeding visitor favouring tall hedgerows and scrubby thickets. Near the northern edge of its English range in Durham.

Apr–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
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Rare Birds in Durham | Birdfact