Uncommon Birds in Leicestershire

47 species matching this filter.

All birds in Leicestershire

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.

Eurasian Siskin
Eurasian SiskinSmallest · 11cm
to
Great White Egret
Great White EgretLargest · 104cm
Ranges from the Eurasian Siskin (11cm) to the Great White Egret (104cm)25 families represented32 year-round residents

Showing 24–46 of 47 species

Grey Wagtail

Grey Wagtail

Motacilla cinereaLC

An uncommon resident found along streams, rivers, and canal towpaths. Bobs its long tail constantly while foraging at the water's edge.

Year-round

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

Hobby

Falco subbuteoLC

An elegant summer breeder, arriving in April to hunt dragonflies and hirundines over reservoirs and open countryside. Departs by September.

Apr–Sep

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

Kestrel

Falco tinnunculusLC

An uncommon but widespread resident, often seen hovering over roadside verges and farmland hunting for small mammals.

Year-round

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

Lesser Whitethroat

Curruca currucaLC

An uncommon summer breeder favouring tall hedgerows and scrubby thickets, arriving in April and departing by September.

Apr–Sep

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

Linnet

Linaria cannabinaLC

An uncommon resident of open farmland, rough ground and hedgerows. Often forms flocks outside the breeding season on weedy stubble fields.

Year-round

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

Little Grebe

Tachybaptus ruficollisLC

An uncommon but widespread resident on ponds, canals and slow rivers. Its distinctive whinnying trill is often heard before the bird is seen.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Little Ringed Plover

Little Ringed Plover

Charadrius dubiusLC

An uncommon summer breeder at gravel pits and reservoir margins. Arrives in March and departs by August, favouring bare shingle for nesting.

Mar–Aug

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

Mandarin Duck

Aix galericulataLC

An uncommon resident favouring wooded lakes and rivers. Breeding populations are slowly establishing in the county.

Year-round

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

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Meadow Pipit

Meadow Pipit

Anthus pratensisLC

An uncommon resident of rough grassland and moorland fringes in the county. Numbers may increase in winter with birds from upland areas.

Year-round

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

Mistle Thrush

Turdus viscivorusLC

An uncommon resident found in parkland, orchards and open woodland. Often sings boldly from treetops in late winter, well before most other thrushes.

Year-round

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

Northern Lapwing

Vanellus vanellusNT

An uncommon but year-round resident of farmland and wet grassland. Breeding numbers have declined significantly.

Year-round

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

Northern Shoveler

Spatula clypeataLC

An uncommon resident found on shallow, muddy-edged pools and reservoirs. Numbers increase in winter with continental arrivals.

Year-round

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

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinusLC

An uncommon year-round resident, increasingly nesting on tall buildings in Leicester and other towns. Also hunts over open farmland and reservoirs.

Year-round

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

Pochard

Aythya ferinaVU

An uncommon resident, declining nationally but still found on larger open waters, with numbers boosted in winter.

Year-round

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

Red Kite

Milvus milvusLC

An uncommon but increasingly seen resident, benefiting from reintroduction programmes and now regularly soaring over the county.

Year-round

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 and field margins. Often seen in small coveys on open ground.

Year-round

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

Reed Bunting

Emberiza schoeniclusLC

An uncommon but widespread resident of reedbeds, damp ditches, and farmland hedgerows. Males show a distinctive black head in breeding plumage.

Year-round

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

Sand Martin

Riparia ripariaLC

An uncommon summer breeder, nesting in sandy riverbanks and quarry faces. Arrives from March and gathers in flocks before departing by September.

Mar–Sep

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

Sedge Warbler

Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC

An uncommon summer breeder found in waterside vegetation at gravel pits and wetland reserves from April to September.

Apr–Sep

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

Sparrowhawk

Accipiter nisusLC

An uncommon but widespread resident, hunting small birds in woodlands, hedgerows, and gardens. Often detected by panicked flocks of finches.

Year-round

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

Treecreeper

Certhia familiarisLC

An unobtrusive resident of mature woodland, spiralling up tree trunks in search of insects. Listen for its thin, high-pitched call.

Year-round

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

Whitethroat

Curruca communisLC

An uncommon summer breeder favouring hedgerows and scrubby field margins. Arrives in April and departs by September.

Apr–Sep

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

Willow Warbler

Phylloscopus trochilusLC

An uncommon summer breeder favouring scrubby woodland edges and hedgerows, present from March to September but declining locally.

Mar–Sep

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