Rare Birds in Lancashire
95 species matching this filter.
Lancashire's diverse landscapes — from the sweeping mudflats of Morecambe Bay to the upland moors of the Forest of Bowland and the wooded river valleys in between — provide habitat for a surprising variety of rare bird species. Around 90 species are classified as rare across the county, including elusive residents such as Barn Owl and Little Owl, scarce breeders like Grasshopper Warbler and Garden Warbler, and passage visitors such as Arctic Jaeger and Dotterel. Whether you're scanning coastal cliffs for European Shag and Kittiwake or listening for the reeling song of a Grasshopper Warbler in a reedbed, Lancashire offers rewarding birding for those willing to seek out its less common species.
Showing 70–92 of 95 species
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatusLC
A rare spring passage migrant passing through Lancashire's uplands in April and May, pausing on moorland edges en route to breeding grounds.
Apr–May
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
A rare year-round resident, nesting on shingle beaches along the Fylde coast and feeding on Lancashire's estuarine mudflats.
Year-round
Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosusLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to Lancashire's rocky coastline and saltmarshes, mainly from autumn through winter with occasional spring records.
Oct–May
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Alexandrinus krameriLC
A rare resident, part of a slowly expanding feral population. Occasionally reported in parks and suburban areas.
Year-round
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensisLC
A rare breeding bird on Lancashire's lakes, now extremely scarce due to the national eradication programme targeting this non-native species.
Nov–Jul
Sabine's Gull
Xema sabiniLC
A rare and highly sought-after passage visitor, occasionally recorded in July during seawatches, usually after strong westerly winds.
Jul
Sanderling
Calidris albaLC
A rare but regular presence on Lancashire's sandy beaches, especially along the Fylde coast. Runs energetically at the tide line.
Year-round
Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensisLC
A rare breeder present April to September, favouring sandy and shingle coastlines. Often seen plunge-diving offshore.
Apr–Sep
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Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeusLC
A rare winter visitor to Lancashire's mosses and coastal marshes, quartering low over rough grassland in search of voles.
Dec–Feb
Snow Bunting
Plectrophenax nivalisLC
A rare winter passage visitor, occasionally turning up on the Lancashire coast in December, favouring sandy beaches and saltmarshes.
Dec
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striataLC
A rare and declining summer breeder from May to September, sallying for insects from exposed perches in woodland clearings and gardens.
May–Sep
Spotted Redshank
Tringa erythropusLC
A rare visitor to Lancashire's estuaries and coastal pools, most likely on the Ribble. Seen in most months except midsummer.
Jul–May
Temminck's Stint
Calidris temminckiiLC
A rare spring passage migrant in May, occasionally stopping at muddy pool edges on coastal marshes and reservoirs.
May
Tree Pipit
Anthus trivialisLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally noted in late spring and late summer on moorland edges and open woodland in the county's eastern uplands.
May–Aug
Tundra Bean Goose
Anser serrirostrisLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded on Lancashire's wetlands in January and March among other wintering goose flocks.
Jan–Mar
Tundra Swan
Cygnus columbianusLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally found on flooded fields and wetlands such as Martin Mere between November and March.
Nov–Mar
Twite
Linaria flavirostrisLC
A rare winter visitor, small flocks gather on the Fylde coast and Morecambe Bay saltmarshes from November to March. A declining species nationally.
Nov–Mar
Wheatear
Oenanthe oenantheLC
A rare breeder on upland pastures and moorland edges from March to October. Often pauses on drystone walls, flashing its white rump.
Mar–Oct
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopusLC
A rare breeding visitor, passing through Lancashire's coast from April to September with distinctive seven-note whistling calls.
Apr–Sep
Whinchat
Saxicola rubetraLC
A rare passage migrant seen briefly in spring and autumn, favouring rough grassland and scrubby margins on Lancashire's coastal and upland fringes.
Apr–Sep
White-winged Tern
Chlidonias leucopterusLC
A rare passage vagrant, occasionally recorded in July at coastal marshes and wetlands. A prized find for Lancashire birders.
Jul
Willow Tit
Poecile montanusLC
Now a rare passage visitor, reflecting severe national decline. Occasionally recorded in damp woodland with standing deadwood in late winter.
Feb
Wood Sandpiper
Tringa glareolaLC
A rare passage migrant through Lancashire's freshwater wetlands, mainly in late summer. Martin Mere and similar sites offer the best chances.
May–Sep