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 93–105 of 105 species

Velvet Scoter

Velvet Scoter

Melanitta fuscaVU

A rare passage visitor seen offshore in autumn and early winter. Usually spotted among Common Scoter flocks off the Durham coast.

Oct–Dec

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

Water Rail

Rallus aquaticusLC

A rare and secretive non-breeding visitor to reedbeds and marshy wetlands, most likely encountered from autumn into winter.

Sep–Jan

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Western Marsh-harrier

Western Marsh-harrier

Circus aeruginosusLC

A rare but increasingly recorded resident, favouring reedbeds and wetland margins. Durham sightings reflect a wider national recovery.

Jun–Mar

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

Wheatear

Oenanthe oenantheLC

A rare breeder on Durham's upland moorland and fell walls, arriving in March and departing by September.

Mar–Sep

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

Whimbrel

Numenius phaeopusLC

A rare passage migrant, mainly seen in spring and late summer on the Durham coast or inland wetlands. Listen for its distinctive rippling whistle.

Apr–Sep

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

Whinchat

Saxicola rubetraLC

A rare autumn passage migrant through Durham, pausing briefly on rough grassland and moorland edges in August and September.

Aug–Sep

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

Whooper Swan

Cygnus cygnusLC

A rare passage visitor in autumn and winter, with records in January, March, October and November on reservoirs and flooded fields.

Oct–Mar

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

Wood Sandpiper

Tringa glareolaLC

A rare passage migrant in August, occasionally stopping at freshwater wetlands and flooded fields. One of the scarcer waders recorded in Durham.

Aug

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

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Wood Warbler

Wood Warbler

Phylloscopus sibilatrixLC

A rare passage visitor in late spring, occasionally lingering in mature oak woodland. Has declined sharply as a northern breeder.

May–Jun

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

Yellow Wagtail

Motacilla flavaLC

A rare and declining summer breeder on Durham's lowland pastures and arable fields, present from April to August.

Apr–Aug

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Yellow-browed Warbler

Yellow-browed Warbler

Phylloscopus inornatusLC

A rare autumn vagrant from Siberia, turning up along the Durham coast in September and October during easterly winds.

Sep–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Yellow-legged Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Larus michahellisLC

A rare non-breeding visitor, mainly in winter and late summer. Look carefully through flocks of Herring Gulls at the coast or tips.

Aug–Feb

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Setophaga coronataLC

An extremely rare North American vagrant. Any Durham record is exceptional and likely involves a transatlantic storm-drifted individual.

Feb

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