Uncommon Birds in Herefordshire

45 species matching this filter.

All birds in Herefordshire

Herefordshire's diverse landscape of rolling farmland, ancient orchards, river valleys, and wooded hills supports a rich variety of birdlife beyond the commonly encountered species. Among the 46 uncommon birds recorded in the county, you can find colourful gems such as the Bullfinch and Common Kingfisher, along with characterful species like the Dipper and European Green Woodpecker. The River Wye and its tributaries provide vital habitat for waterbirds including Common Sandpiper and Eurasian Oystercatcher, while hedgerow-rich farmland and mature woodland attract a host of other notable species.

Willow Warbler
Willow WarblerSmallest · 11cm
to
Whooper Swan
Whooper SwanLargest · 165cm
Ranges from the Willow Warbler (11cm) to the Whooper Swan (165cm)27 families represented31 year-round residents

Showing 1–23 of 45 species

Bullfinch

Bullfinch

Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC

An uncommon but year-round resident, favouring thick hedgerows and orchards. Often seen in pairs feeding quietly on buds and berries.

Year-round

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

Common Kingfisher

Alcedo atthisLC

An uncommon but prized resident along the Wye and Lugg, flashing electric blue along clean riverbanks year-round.

Year-round

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

Common Merganser

Mergus merganserLC

An uncommon resident breeding along the Wye and its tributaries. Often seen in small parties fishing the clear, fast-flowing stretches.

Year-round

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

Common Redpoll

Acanthis flammeaLC

An uncommon non-breeding visitor to alder and birch woodland, typically present from autumn through early spring in small flocks.

Sep–Apr

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

Common Redstart

Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC

An uncommon summer breeder favouring the county's mature oak woodlands, arriving in April. The male's fiery orange tail is unmistakable.

Apr–Aug

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

Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucosLC

An uncommon breeding visitor along the River Wye and its tributaries, bobbing on rocks from April to October.

Apr–Oct

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

Common Snipe

Gallinago gallinagoLC

An uncommon non-breeding visitor to wet meadows and marshy fields, present from autumn to spring. Often flushed from ditches.

Sep–Apr

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

Common Starling

Sturnus vulgarisLC

A year-round resident, now uncommon due to long-term decline. Gathers in large winter roosts, often around towns and reedbeds.

Year-round

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

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Coot

Coot

Fulica atraLC

An uncommon year-round resident on larger pools and lakes, often sharing habitat with Moorhens but preferring open water.

Year-round

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

Cuckoo

Cuculus canorusLC

An uncommon summer visitor arriving in April, its distinctive call echoing across farmland and woodland edges. Now declining nationally.

Apr–Jul

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

Dipper

Cinclus cinclusLC

An uncommon but iconic resident of fast-flowing streams, bobbing on rocks along the Wye, Lugg, and their tributaries.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Eurasian Collared Dove

Eurasian Collared Dove

Streptopelia decaoctoLC

An uncommon resident found around farms, villages, and gardens, less numerous here than in many English counties.

Year-round

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

Eurasian Jay

Garrulus glandariusLC

An uncommon but noisy resident of the county's oak woodlands, often betrayed by its harsh screeching call in autumn.

Year-round

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

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Haematopus ostralegusNT

An uncommon breeding visitor to river shingle banks along the Wye and Lugg, arriving from February and departing by autumn.

Feb–Oct

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

Eurasian Wigeon

Mareca penelopeLC

An uncommon winter visitor to flooded pastures and reservoirs, present from September through to April.

Sep–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
European Green Woodpecker

European Green Woodpecker

Picus viridisLC

An uncommon resident of old orchards, parkland, and woodland edges, its laughing call a familiar countryside sound.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
European Herring Gull

European Herring Gull

Larus argentatusLC

An uncommon year-round resident, often seen at landfill sites and playing fields. Numbers have declined significantly in recent decades.

Year-round

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

Gadwall

Mareca streperaLC

An uncommon resident found on lakes and reservoirs, though largely absent during midsummer. Numbers increase in winter.

Aug–May

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

Garden Warbler

Sylvia borinLC

An uncommon summer breeder in dense scrub and woodland edges from April to August, more often heard than seen.

Apr–Aug

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Great Crested Grebe

Great Crested Grebe

Podiceps cristatusLC

An uncommon resident breeding on larger pools and reservoirs. Its elaborate courtship display is a highlight of early spring.

Aug–Jun

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Great White Egret

Great White Egret

Ardea albaLC

An uncommon but increasingly seen resident, often stalking fish in the shallows of the Wye and Lugg floodplains.

Jul–Apr

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

Green Sandpiper

Tringa ochropusLC

An uncommon resident found along streams and muddy pool edges. Often solitary and easily overlooked, bobbing nervously before flying off.

Jun–Apr

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

Greylag Goose

Anser anserLC

An uncommon resident, with feral populations frequenting lakes, pools, and riverside meadows across the county almost year-round.

Aug–Jun

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