Rare Birds in Hampshire
85 species matching this filter.
Hampshire is home to an impressive diversity of birdlife, with 85 rare species recorded across its varied landscapes of ancient woodland, heathland, chalk downland, and coastal marshes. Notable rarities include the elusive Eurasian Bittern lurking in reedbeds, the striking Hen Harrier quartering over winter marshes, and the elegant Grey Phalarope occasionally driven inshore by autumn storms. From the New Forest's European Honey-buzzards to the Solent's visiting Common Scoters, the county offers rewarding opportunities for birders seeking uncommon encounters.
Showing 1–23 of 85 species
Arctic Jaeger
Stercorarius parasiticusLC
A rare spring passage migrant seen offshore from Hampshire's coast, typically during April and May seawatching sessions at sites like Hurst Castle.
Apr–May
Arctic Loon
Gavia arcticaLC
A rare passage visitor in late autumn, occasionally spotted offshore or in sheltered coastal waters during November and December.
Nov–Dec
Bar-headed Goose
Anser indicusLC
A rare passage bird of likely captive origin, occasionally noted in spring and summer on lakes and reservoirs.
Apr–Jun
Bar-tailed Godwit
Limosa lapponicaNT
A rare but year-round presence on Hampshire's coastal mudflats, especially in the Solent harbours. Numbers peak during winter and passage periods.
Year-round
Barn Owl
Tyto albaLC
A rare and elusive resident, hunting over Hampshire's farmland and grasslands at dusk. Benefits from nest box schemes across the county.
Dec–Sep
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
A rare resident, present most months. Often of uncertain origin, mixing with feral flocks on lakes and gravel pits.
Jul–May
Bearded Tit
Panurus biarmicusLC
A rare resident of Hampshire's reedbeds, with key sites along the Solent coast. Listen for distinctive pinging calls in autumn.
Jun–Apr
Black Redstart
Phoenicurus ochrurosLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally noted along Hampshire's coast in November. Favours industrial sites, harbour walls, and rocky shorelines.
Nov
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Black Swan
Cygnus atratusLC
A rare introduced breeder, occasionally seen on lakes and ornamental waters. Most records fall between spring and summer.
Jan–Jul
Black Tern
Chlidonias nigerLC
A rare passage migrant in May and August–September, dipping gracefully over freshwater lakes and coastal pools to pick insects.
May–Sep
Black-necked Grebe
Podiceps nigricollisLC
A rare non-breeding visitor found on sheltered harbours and reservoirs from autumn to early spring. Christchurch Harbour is a favoured site.
Oct–Mar
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A rare winter visitor from Scandinavia, sometimes joining Chaffinch flocks in Hampshire's beech woodlands and farmland. Numbers vary greatly between years.
Oct–Apr
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibisLC
A rare but increasingly regular resident, part of a recent colonisation of southern England. Often found among livestock on Hampshire's farmland.
Year-round
Common Loon
Gavia immerLC
A rare winter visitor to the Solent and larger harbours, occasionally lingering into early spring. Known locally as Great Northern Diver.
Oct–Apr
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
A rare resident, scarce on Hampshire's rivers and lakes. Most often seen in winter months, absent during midsummer.
Aug–May
Common Quail
Coturnix coturnixLC
A rare and elusive passage visitor in July, more often heard than seen calling from arable fields and chalk downland.
Jul
Common Scoter
Melanitta nigraLC
A rare sea duck seen offshore along Hampshire's coast, mainly in winter and during passage. Largely absent during midsummer months.
Aug–May
Corn Bunting
Emberiza calandraLC
A rare breeding bird on Hampshire's chalk downland, having suffered severe national decline. Singing males favour open arable fields in spring.
Mar–Jul
Curlew Sandpiper
Calidris ferrugineaNT
A rare passage wader seen on coastal pools and mudflats, mainly in late summer and autumn. Hampshire's harbours attract small numbers annually.
Apr–Oct
Eurasian Bittern
Botaurus stellarisLC
A rare passage visitor in late winter, occasionally seen booming or flushed from reedbeds at sites like Titchfield Haven and the Blashford Lakes.
Feb–Mar
Eurasian Spoonbill
Platalea leucorodiaLC
A rare but increasingly regular presence, favouring Hampshire's coastal marshes and harbours. Numbers have grown in recent years, particularly around the Solent.
Year-round
Eurasian Stone-curlew
Burhinus oedicnemusLC
A rare passage visitor in May, occasionally noted on chalk downland. Hampshire's Salisbury Plain fringes offer the closest regular breeding habitat.
May
Eurasian Woodcock
Scolopax rusticolaLC
A rare passage visitor in spring, favouring damp woodland and heathland. Most likely encountered during roding flights at dusk.
Feb–Jun