Rare Birds in Leicestershire

72 species matching this filter.

All birds in Leicestershire

Leicestershire may be a landlocked county in the heart of England, but its diverse mix of reservoirs, farmland, woodland and heathland supports an impressive array of rare bird species. Around 70 species are classified as rare in the county, including elusive residents such as Barn Owl and Little Owl, secretive breeders like Grasshopper Warbler, and scarce visitors including Black-necked Grebe, Greenshank and Green Sandpiper. Key sites such as Rutland Water, Eyebrook Reservoir and Charnwood Forest provide vital habitats that attract these uncommon species throughout the year.

Yellow-browed Warbler
Yellow-browed WarblerSmallest · 10cm
to
Whooper Swan
Whooper SwanLargest · 165cm
Ranges from the Yellow-browed Warbler (10cm) to the Whooper Swan (165cm)25 families represented11 year-round residents

Showing 70–72 of 72 species

Yellow Wagtail

Yellow Wagtail

Motacilla flavaLC

A rare and declining summer breeder associated with lowland pastures and river floodplains, arriving from April.

Apr–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Yellow-browed Warbler

Yellow-browed Warbler

Phylloscopus inornatusLC

A rare passage visitor from Siberia, occasionally turning up in October. A prized find for local birders, typically in scrubby cover at migration hotspots.

Oct–Jan

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Yellow-legged Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Larus michahellisLC

A rare non-breeding visitor, most often found at landfill sites and reservoirs from late summer into winter.

Jul–Jan

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
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Rare Birds in Leicestershire | Birdfact