Rare Birds in Hampshire
92 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 70–92 of 92 species
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Alexandrinus krameriLC
A rare non-breeding visitor, occasionally seen in parks and gardens. Hampshire lies on the edge of the expanding south-east England population.
Aug–Apr
Roseate Tern
Sterna dougalliiLC
A rare breeding visitor from May to July, favouring shingle and coastal sites. One of Britain's scarcest breeding seabirds.
May–Jul
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensisLC
A rare passage visitor, now extremely scarce following the national eradication programme. Occasionally recorded in November.
Nov
Ruddy Shelduck
Tadorna ferrugineaLC
A rare summer passage visitor of uncertain origin, occasionally appearing on lakes and reservoirs from June to August.
Jun–Aug
Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to coastal marshes and flooded fields, most likely seen during autumn passage and winter months.
Aug–Apr
Sabine's Gull
Xema sabiniLC
A rare pelagic gull very occasionally storm-blown to Hampshire waters. Most records follow severe autumn or winter gales.
Jan
Sanderling
Calidris albaLC
A rare but regular visitor to sandy shores along the Hampshire coast, mostly seen outside summer. Often found in small flocks on open beaches.
Aug–May
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeusLC
A rare passage and winter visitor, hunting over coastal marshes and open downland, mainly in November and January.
Nov–Jan
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Snow Bunting
Plectrophenax nivalisLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally turning up along Hampshire's coast in November. Prefers shingle beaches and open shoreline habitats.
Nov
Spotted Redshank
Tringa erythropusLC
Present most of the year at coastal estuaries and harbours, though rare. Best looked for at Keyhaven and the Solent mudflats.
Jun–Apr
Tawny Owl
Strix alucoLC
A resident of mature woodland, more often heard than seen. Its familiar hooting call carries through Hampshire's woods on still nights.
Year-round
Tundra Bean Goose
Anser serrirostrisLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded in January. May turn up among flocks of other wintering geese on wetlands.
Jan
Velvet Scoter
Melanitta fuscaVU
A rare non-breeding visitor to Hampshire's coastal waters, occasionally seen off the Solent from November to January.
Nov–Jan
Water Pipit
Anthus spinolettaLC
A rare winter visitor to Hampshire's watercress beds and wet meadows, present from November to April. Easily overlooked among Meadow Pipits.
Nov–Apr
Western Sandpiper
Calidris mauriLC
An extremely rare Nearctic vagrant with occasional October records. Any sighting in Hampshire is a major event for local birders.
Oct
White-tailed Sea-eagle
Haliaeetus albicillaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor, linked to the Isle of Wight reintroduction programme. Occasionally wanders to Hampshire's coast and marshes.
Oct–Mar
Wilson's Phalarope
Phalaropus tricolorLC
A rare American vagrant, occasionally recorded on passage in autumn. Any Hampshire sighting draws keen interest from county birders.
Oct
Wood Sandpiper
Tringa glareolaLC
A rare passage wader seen at freshwater marshes and scrapes from July to September, favouring sites like the Avon Valley and Keyhaven.
Jul–Sep
Wood Warbler
Phylloscopus sibilatrixLC
A rare passage migrant in late spring, occasionally singing in mature beech and oak woodland. Has declined sharply as a Hampshire breeder.
May–Jun
Woodlark
Lullula arboreaLC
A rare breeding bird found on the heathlands of the New Forest. Its melodious song can be heard from February as birds establish territories.
Feb–Nov
Wryneck
Jynx torquillaLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, most likely encountered in September along the coast at sites like Keyhaven and Farlington Marshes.
Sep
Yellow-browed Warbler
Phylloscopus inornatusLC
A rare autumn vagrant from Siberia, occasionally recorded along Hampshire's coast in October. Tiny and active, often found in coastal scrub and sycamores.
Oct
Yellow-legged Gull
Larus michahellisLC
A rare non-breeding visitor, most often seen from late summer through winter among mixed gull flocks at tips and coastal roosts.
Jul–Mar