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 47–69 of 105 species

Little Auk

Little Auk

Alle alleLC

A rare November visitor, sometimes driven close inshore or even inland by strong North Sea gales. A prized find for seawatchers.

Nov

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

Little Gull

Hydrocoloeus minutusLC

A rare passage migrant in September, occasionally spotted at coastal pools or offshore. Its dainty, buoyant flight is distinctive.

Sep

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

Little Owl

Athene noctuaLC

A rare resident of lowland farmland with old trees and stone walls. Often bobs comically when perched; most active at dawn and dusk.

Nov–Sep

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

Little Ringed Plover

Charadrius dubiusLC

A rare summer breeder favouring gravel pits and reservoir margins. One of the earliest spring migrants, arriving from April.

Apr–Aug

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

Little Stint

Calidris minutaLC

A rare autumn passage migrant in August–September, found at coastal scrapes and freshwater margins. Tiny size helps distinguish it from Dunlin.

Aug–Sep

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

Little Tern

Sternula albifronsLC

A rare summer breeder from May to August, nesting on shingle beaches along the Durham coast. Vulnerable to disturbance and declining.

May–Aug

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

Long-eared Owl

Asio otusLC

A rare and secretive passage visitor, occasionally recorded in summer. Roosts in dense cover and is easily overlooked.

Jul

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Long-tailed Duck

Long-tailed Duck

Clangula hyemalisVU

A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally seen on the Durham coast or larger reservoirs during October and November.

Oct–Nov

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

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Mandarin Duck

Mandarin Duck

Aix galericulataLC

A rare but increasing breeder found on wooded rivers and lakes from spring through autumn. A striking exotic addition to the county.

Mar–Oct

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

Manx Shearwater

Puffinus puffinusLC

Rare passage migrant seen offshore from July to October. Best spotted during seawatches at coastal headlands in easterly winds.

Jul–Oct

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

Marsh Tit

Poecile palustrisLC

A rare and declining resident near the northern edge of its UK range. Favours mature deciduous woodland with dense understorey.

Year-round

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

Merlin

Falco columbariusLC

A rare passage migrant, mainly in spring and autumn. This small, dashing falcon breeds on nearby upland moors but is scarce in lowland Durham.

Mar–Sep

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

Nightjar

Caprimulgus europaeusLC

A rare passage visitor in late spring, occasionally recorded on heathland and young conifer plantations in the Durham uplands.

May–Jun

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

Northern Pintail

Anas acutaLC

A rare passage visitor in autumn and late winter. This elegant dabbling duck favours shallow wetlands and reservoir margins.

Sep–Feb

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

Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris melanotosLC

A rare Nearctic vagrant, occasionally appearing at freshwater pools in September. A prized find for Durham's birdwatchers during autumn passage.

Sep

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

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinusLC

Rare resident, famously nesting on Durham Cathedral. Hunts pigeons over the city rooftops and along the river corridor.

Jun–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Pink-footed Goose

Pink-footed Goose

Anser brachyrhynchusLC

A rare non-breeding visitor from autumn through to spring. Skeins may pass overhead, with small flocks occasionally settling on farmland.

Sep–Mar

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

Pochard

Aythya ferinaVU

A rare year-round resident on deeper lakes and reservoirs. Numbers have declined significantly in recent decades across the UK.

Year-round

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

Pomarine Jaeger

Stercorarius pomarinusLC

A rare autumn seabird, occasionally spotted from Durham's headlands in September during strong onshore winds. Bulkier than the Arctic Jaeger.

Sep

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

Purple Sandpiper

Calidris maritimaLC

A rare winter visitor to Durham's rocky coastline, favouring wave-washed piers and headlands. Departs by spring to breed in the Arctic.

Sep–Mar

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

Razorbill

Alca tordaLC

A rare resident seen offshore mainly in late summer and autumn, with some midwinter records. Best spotted from coastal headlands.

Jul–Jan

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

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostraLC

A rare and nomadic resident of Durham's conifer plantations, with erratic appearances linked to spruce cone crops.

Jun–Mar

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

Red Kite

Milvus milvusLC

A rare but increasingly seen resident, soaring over farmland and woodland edges. Durham lies at the edge of its expanding range.

Feb–Dec

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