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 24–45 of 45 species

Kestrel

Kestrel

Falco tinnunculusLC

An uncommon resident hovering over roadside verges and farmland. Has declined in Herefordshire as in much of lowland England.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Lesser Black-backed Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscusLC

An uncommon resident often seen soaring over farmland or loafing on playing fields, with numbers boosted in summer.

Year-round

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

Lesser Whitethroat

Curruca currucaLC

An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April, favouring tall hedgerows and scrubby thickets across the county's lowland farmland.

Apr–Sep

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

Linnet

Linaria cannabinaLC

An uncommon resident of farmland hedgerows and rough ground, often in small flocks. Has declined with changes in agricultural practices.

Year-round

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

Little Grebe

Tachybaptus ruficollisLC

An uncommon resident on ponds, lakes, and quiet stretches of river, breeding discreetly among marginal vegetation.

Year-round

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

Mandarin Duck

Aix galericulataLC

An uncommon but established resident, favouring wooded stretches of the Wye and Arrow valleys where overhanging trees provide nest holes.

Year-round

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

Marsh Tit

Poecile palustrisLC

An uncommon but valued resident of mature deciduous woodland; Herefordshire's oak woods provide good habitat for this declining species.

Year-round

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

Meadow Pipit

Anthus pratensisLC

An uncommon resident of the county's upland pastures and rough grassland, particularly on the hills bordering Wales.

Year-round

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

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Moorhen

Moorhen

Gallinula chloropusLC

An uncommon but widespread resident of ponds, ditches and river margins, often betrayed by its loud, sharp calls from dense vegetation.

Year-round

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

Northern Shoveler

Spatula clypeataLC

An uncommon non-breeding visitor to the county's lakes and pools, present from autumn through to spring. Favours shallow, muddy waters.

Sep–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-legged Partridge

Red-legged Partridge

Alectoris rufaNT

An uncommon resident of arable farmland, largely sustained by releases for shooting. Often seen in small coveys along field margins.

Jan–Nov

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

Reed Bunting

Emberiza schoeniclusLC

An uncommon resident of wetland margins, reedbeds and damp farmland ditches. Males sing from prominent stems in the breeding season.

Year-round

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

Rock Dove

Columba liviaLC

Feral populations are uncommon but present year-round, mainly around Hereford and other towns. True wild Rock Doves are absent.

Year-round

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

Sedge Warbler

Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC

An uncommon summer breeder in reedbeds and waterside scrub along the county's rivers and pools, arriving from April.

Apr–Aug

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

Sparrowhawk

Accipiter nisusLC

An uncommon but widespread resident, hunting small birds through woodland edges, hedgerows, and gardens year-round.

Year-round

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

Spotted Flycatcher

Muscicapa striataLC

A declining summer visitor arriving in May, favouring mature parkland, churchyards and woodland edges where it sallies for insects from exposed perches.

May–Sep

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

Tawny Owl

Strix alucoLC

An uncommon but widespread resident of mature woodlands and parkland, more often heard than seen with its familiar hooting call at dusk.

Year-round

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

Treecreeper

Certhia familiarisLC

An uncommon but year-round resident, spiralling up tree trunks in mature woodland and parkland across the county.

Year-round

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

Tufted Duck

Aythya fuligulaLC

An uncommon resident on deeper lakes and pools, with numbers bolstered in winter. Breeds locally at suitable still-water sites.

Aug–Jun

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

Whooper Swan

Cygnus cygnusLC

An uncommon passage visitor, occasionally seen in December on flooded meadows along the Wye and Lugg valleys.

Dec

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

Willow Warbler

Phylloscopus trochilusLC

An uncommon summer breeder in woodland edges and scrubby hillsides, arriving from March. Its gentle descending song is a sign of spring.

Mar–Oct

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

Yellowhammer

Emberiza citrinellaLC

An uncommon but characteristic resident of the county's hedgerows and arable margins, singing its distinctive song from exposed perches year-round.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
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Uncommon Birds in Herefordshire | Birdfact