Uncommon Birds in Durham
63 species matching this filter.
Durham's diverse landscapes—from the North Pennines moorlands to the Heritage Coast and the river valleys of the Wear and Tees—support a rich variety of birdlife beyond the commonly seen species. Among the county's 63 uncommon birds, you can find rewarding sightings such as Blackcap, Buzzard, Bullfinch, and wintering Fieldfare, as well as waterbirds like Common Merganser, Gadwall, and Common Shelduck on the region's reservoirs and estuaries. These species, while not encountered on every outing, are regular enough to reward patient and well-timed birdwatching across Durham's varied habitats.
Showing 1–23 of 63 species
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
An uncommon breeder in mature woodland and tall scrub from spring through autumn. Some overwinter, visiting garden feeders for fruit and berries.
Mar–Oct
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of Durham's hedgerows and woodland edges, often betrayed by its soft, piping call.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
An uncommon year-round resident, often seen soaring over farmland and woodland. Numbers have increased significantly in recent decades.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
An uncommon but well-established resident on lakes, rivers and park ponds throughout the county year-round.
Year-round
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
Present year-round on farmland, playing fields, and reservoirs. More numerous in winter when northern birds boost local numbers.
Year-round
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
An uncommon year-round resident along clean rivers and streams. A flash of electric blue darting low over the water reveals its presence.
Year-round
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
An uncommon resident breeding along the River Wear and Tees. Often seen in small parties fishing on fast-flowing stretches.
Year-round
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
An uncommon summer breeder along Durham's rivers and reservoirs from April to September. Bobs constantly on waterside rocks and stones.
Apr–Sep
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Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
An uncommon resident breeding along the Durham coast and estuaries. Also found inland at reservoirs and gravel pits.
Year-round
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
An uncommon breeding visitor from May to October, found at coastal sites and occasionally inland reservoirs across Durham.
May–Oct
Coot
Fulica atraLC
An uncommon resident found on larger lakes and reservoirs across the county. Numbers may increase in winter with visiting birds.
Year-round
Cuckoo
Cuculus canorusLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in May, favouring moorland edges and wooded valleys. Declining across the county in recent decades.
May–Jul
Dipper
Cinclus cinclusLC
A charismatic resident of fast-flowing rivers and streams in the Pennine dales and Wear valley. Bobs on rocks year-round, even in winter spate.
Year-round
Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLC
An uncommon year-round resident found on coastal mudflats and upland moorland breeding sites. Numbers peak in autumn with passage birds.
Year-round
Eider
Somateria mollissimaNT
An uncommon year-round resident along the Durham coastline. Breeds on rocky shores and forms moulting rafts offshore in summer.
Year-round
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
An uncommon resident of gardens, farms and suburban areas throughout Durham. Its monotonous three-note call is a familiar sound.
Year-round
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of mature broadleaved and mixed woodland. Often heard giving its harsh screeching call.
Year-round
Eurasian Nuthatch
Sitta europaeaLC
An uncommon but increasing resident of mature deciduous woodland. Listen for its loud ringing call in parks and wooded valleys across the county.
Year-round
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
An uncommon resident favouring conifer plantations and alder-lined waterways. Numbers fluctuate, with winter flocks visiting garden feeders in some years.
Year-round
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
Uncommon resident of open farmland and upland pastures. Declining nationally, but its song flight still graces Durham's fields.
Year-round
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Passer montanusLC
An uncommon resident favouring farmland with hedgerows and rural gardens, less tied to buildings than its commoner cousin.
Year-round
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
An uncommon resident, with numbers swelling in winter when Icelandic and Scandinavian birds join locals on reservoirs and flooded fields.
Year-round
Fieldfare
Turdus pilarisLC
An uncommon winter visitor from Scandinavia, often seen in noisy flocks on farmland and berry-laden hedgerows from October to April.
Oct–Apr