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 70–92 of 105 species

Red Knot

Red Knot

Calidris canutusNT

A rare non-breeding visitor to the Durham coast, occasionally seen in flocks on sandy beaches and estuarine mudflats outside the summer months.

Jul–Mar

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-breasted Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Mergus serratorLC

A rare non-breeding visitor, mainly seen along the Durham coast and river estuaries from autumn through to early spring.

Sep–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-flanked Bluetail

Red-flanked Bluetail

Tarsiger cyanurusLC

An extremely rare vagrant from eastern Asia, with occasional winter records along the Durham coast. A major rarity for the region.

Jan

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-legged Partridge

Red-legged Partridge

Alectoris rufaNT

A rare passage visitor in spring, near the northern edge of its UK range. Occasionally noted on lowland farmland in April and May.

Apr–May

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-necked Grebe

Red-necked Grebe

Podiceps grisegenaLC

A rare passage visitor, mainly recorded in February. Occasionally seen offshore or on coastal waters during harsh winter weather.

Feb

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-throated Loon

Red-throated Loon

Gavia stellataLC

A rare resident seen offshore most of the year. Often flies low over the sea in ones and twos past Durham's coastal watchpoints.

Jun–Mar

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

Ring Ouzel

Turdus torquatusLC

A rare summer breeder on the high Pennine moorlands of western Durham. Look for its distinctive white breast crescent on rocky crags in spring.

Apr–Jun

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

Rock Pipit

Anthus petrosusLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to Durham's rocky coastline, present from autumn through to early spring.

Sep–Mar

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

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Rose-ringed Parakeet

Rose-ringed Parakeet

Alexandrinus krameriLC

A rare winter visitor, well north of its main range in south-east England. Occasional sightings likely involve wandering or escaped birds.

Dec–Feb

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

Roseate Tern

Sterna dougalliiLC

A rare passage migrant in August and September. One of the UK's rarest breeding terns, occasionally seen off the Durham coast.

Aug–Sep

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

Ruff

Philomachus pugnaxLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally found at freshwater pools and flooded fields in August and September. Males in breeding plumage are seldom seen here.

Aug–Sep

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

Sanderling

Calidris albaLC

A scarce but year-round visitor to Durham's sandy beaches, often seen in small flocks running along the tideline. Most numerous on passage.

May–Mar

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

Serin

Serinus serinusLC

An exceptionally rare vagrant from continental Europe, with occasional December records in Durham.

Dec

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

Short-eared Owl

Asio flammeusLC

A rare resident of upland moors and rough grassland. Hunts with buoyant, wavering flight low over the ground, mainly at dawn and dusk.

Aug–May

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

Snow Bunting

Plectrophenax nivalisLC

A rare winter visitor to Durham's exposed coastline and upland fells, occasionally seen in small flocks on beaches and moorland edges.

Nov–Feb

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

Sooty Shearwater

Ardenna griseaNT

A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally spotted from Durham's coast during September seawatches in strong onshore winds.

Sep

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

Spotted Flycatcher

Muscicapa striataLC

A rare and declining summer visitor, breeding in open woodland and parkland. Sallies from exposed perches to catch insects from May to September.

May–Sep

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

Spotted Redshank

Tringa erythropusLC

A rare passage migrant seen briefly in late winter and autumn at coastal pools and estuaries. Longer-legged and darker than the common Redshank.

Aug–Mar

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

Stonechat

Saxicola torquatusLC

A scarce resident found year-round on Durham's coastal gorse and upland heath, often perching prominently on bushes.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Taiga Bean Goose

Taiga Bean Goose

Anser fabalisLC

A rare passage visitor, occasionally turning up in December on stubble fields or wetland margins with other wintering geese.

Dec

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

Tawny Owl

Strix alucoLC

A rare but year-round resident of mature woodland. More often heard than seen, its familiar hooting carries through Durham's woods at night.

Year-round

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

Tree Pipit

Anthus trivialisLC

A rare summer breeder arriving in April, favouring open woodland edges and hillside clearings in western Durham.

Apr–Jun

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

Twite

Linaria flavirostrisLC

A rare winter visitor to Durham's coast and stubble fields, present from November to March in small flocks.

Nov–Mar

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