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 24–46 of 85 species
European Honey-buzzard
Pernis apivorusLC
A rare and secretive summer breeder in the New Forest's mature woodlands, arriving in May and feeding largely on wasp larvae.
May–Aug
European Pied Flycatcher
Ficedula hypoleucaLC
A rare autumn passage migrant passing through Hampshire in August and September. Most likely encountered in coastal scrub and woodland on the south coast.
Aug–Sep
European Shag
Phalacrocorax aristotelisLC
A rare resident along the Hampshire coast, favouring rocky structures and harbour walls. Scarce but present most months.
Aug–May
European Turtle-dove
Streptopelia turturVU
A rare and declining summer breeder, arriving in May and departing by July. Hampshire remains one of its last English strongholds on farmland with thick hedgerows.
May–Jul
Fulmar
Fulmarus glacialisLC
Rarely seen from Hampshire shores, occasionally passing offshore in spring. Breeds on cliffs further west along the English coast.
Apr
Garganey
Spatula querquedulaLC
A rare spring passage migrant from March to May. Favours shallow wetlands and flooded meadows on passage.
Mar–May
Grasshopper Warbler
Locustella naeviaLC
A rare passage visitor in April, more often heard than seen. Its insect-like reeling song carries from dense scrub and rough grassland.
Apr
Great Grey Shrike
Lanius excubitorLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally found on Hampshire's heathlands, particularly in the New Forest. Perches prominently while scanning for prey.
Nov–Mar
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Greater Scaup
Aythya marilaLC
A rare winter visitor from December to April. Occasionally found on sheltered coastal waters and larger inland lakes.
Dec–Apr
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifronsLC
A rare winter visitor arriving in December and lingering into February. Occasionally found grazing on coastal marshes and flood meadows.
Dec–Feb
Green Sandpiper
Tringa ochropusLC
A rare but year-round visitor to watercress beds, streams and flooded fields. Often solitary and easily flushed from muddy margins.
Jun–Apr
Grey Partridge
Perdix perdixLC
A rare passage visitor in late spring, reflecting the species' severe national decline. Favours open farmland and chalk downland.
May–Jun
Grey Phalarope
Phalaropus fulicariusLC
A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally appearing on coastal pools and sheltered harbours, mainly in September and October after Atlantic storms.
Sep–Dec
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC
A rare and elusive resident, with the New Forest being a national stronghold. Best looked for in winter around hornbeam and yew trees.
Oct–Jun
Hen Harrier
Circus cyaneusLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally seen quartering marshes and heathland on the coast and New Forest fringes in the coldest months.
Dec–Jan
Hobby
Falco subbuteoLC
A scarce summer breeder arriving in April, favouring heathland and woodland edges in the New Forest. Agile in flight, often catching dragonflies on the wing.
Apr–Oct
Horned Grebe
Podiceps auritusVU
A rare winter visitor to sheltered coastal waters and harbours. Most likely seen between November and March on the Solent.
Nov–Mar
Iceland Gull
Larus glaucoidesLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded in February among winter gull flocks at reservoirs and along the coast.
Feb
Jack Snipe
Lymnocryptes minimusLC
A secretive winter visitor to boggy marshes and watermeadows, rarely flushing until almost underfoot. Most reliably found from November to March.
Nov–Mar
Kittiwake
Rissa tridactylaVU
A rare passage visitor off the Hampshire coast, occasionally seen in November during stormy weather that pushes this pelagic gull closer to shore.
Nov
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Dryobates minorLC
A rare and declining resident of Hampshire's broadleaved woodlands. Best detected by its high-pitched call in early spring before the canopy fills in.
Jan–May
Lesser Whitethroat
Curruca currucaLC
A rare summer breeder favouring tall hedgerows and scrubby woodland edges. Its rattling song is heard from April, departing by September.
Apr–Sep
Little Gull
Hydrocoloeus minutusLC
A rare passage visitor, most likely in spring and late autumn. Occasionally seen at coastal lagoons and harbours along the Solent.
Nov–May