Uncommon Birds in Leicestershire
47 species matching this filter.
Leicestershire supports a diverse range of uncommon bird species across its varied habitats, from the reservoirs and wetlands of Rutland Water's fringes to the county's ancient woodlands and river valleys. With 47 species classified as uncommon, birdwatchers can look forward to sightings of elusive residents such as the Bullfinch and Cetti's Warbler, as well as seasonal visitors like the Fieldfare and Common Sandpiper. The county's mix of farmland, waterways, and gravel pits provides vital habitat for species including Gadwall, Common Merganser, and Grey Wagtail.
Showing 1–23 of 47 species
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
An uncommon but widespread resident of hedgerows, woodland edges and mature gardens. Its soft, piping call often betrays its presence.
Year-round
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, favouring dense reedbed and waterside scrub at sites like Rutland Water's fringes. More often heard than seen.
Year-round
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
An uncommon resident found on reservoirs, playing fields and farmland. Numbers increase in winter when Continental birds supplement the local population.
Jul–May
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
An uncommon resident along rivers, canals and lake edges throughout the year. A flash of electric blue is often the first sign of its presence.
Year-round
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
An uncommon resident mainly seen in the colder months on reservoirs and rivers, scarcer during summer.
Oct–May
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, recolonising the county after a long absence; look for its tumbling display flight.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
An uncommon resident of birch and alder woodland. Absent in midsummer, with numbers boosted by continental birds in autumn and winter.
Sep–May
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
An uncommon summer breeder found in reedbeds at sites like Rutland Water's fringes and Watermead Park, arriving from April.
Apr–Sep
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Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
An uncommon breeding visitor, bobbing along reservoir edges and river banks from spring through autumn.
Apr–Oct
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
An uncommon breeding visitor from April to September, nesting on rafts and islands at reservoirs. Plunge-dives for fish in open water.
Apr–Sep
Cuckoo
Cuculus canorusLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April. Its distinctive call carries across farmland and woodland edges.
Apr–Jun
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
An uncommon but widespread resident of broadleaved woodland, often detected by its harsh screeching call in autumn.
Year-round
Eurasian Nuthatch
Sitta europaeaLC
An uncommon resident of mature deciduous woodland and parkland. Its loud ringing call carries through Charnwood Forest and similar wooded areas.
Year-round
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegusNT
An uncommon breeding visitor, arriving from February and nesting at gravel pits and reservoir margins. Its piping call is distinctive.
Feb–Aug
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
An uncommon resident most visible in winter and early spring, visiting garden feeders and frequenting alder trees along waterways.
Jul–May
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of arable farmland and open grassland. Its soaring song flight is a characteristic sound of the Leicestershire countryside.
Year-round
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
An uncommon non-breeding visitor to reservoirs and flooded grassland, arriving from autumn and lingering into spring. Males give a distinctive whistle.
Aug–Apr
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
An uncommon but year-round resident, increasingly seen on urban rooftops as well as at reservoirs and landfill sites across the county.
Year-round
Fieldfare
Turdus pilarisLC
A winter visitor from Scandinavia, arriving from October and lingering into April. Flocks forage in hedgerows and open fields for berries.
Oct–Apr
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
An uncommon year-round resident, favouring larger reservoirs and gravel pits with vegetated margins for breeding.
Year-round
Garden Warbler
Sylvia borinLC
An unassuming summer breeder in mature deciduous woodland with dense understorey. Arrives from April and departs by September.
Apr–Sep
Goldeneye
Bucephala clangulaLC
An uncommon resident found on reservoirs and gravel pits, most conspicuous in winter. Males flash striking white plumage in courtship displays.
Aug–Jun
Great White Egret
Ardea albaLC
An increasingly established uncommon resident, now seen year-round at wetlands and reservoirs. Part of a wider national range expansion.
Year-round