Rare Birds in London
63 species matching this filter.
London is home to 63 rare bird species that reward patient and dedicated birdwatchers with truly memorable sightings. From the striking Avocet and elusive Eurasian Bittern lurking in wetland reserves to the secretive Barn Owl hunting over urban fringe grasslands, these uncommon visitors and residents highlight the surprising diversity of the capital's habitats. For a broader overview of the city's avian life, explore our guide to the 20 Most Common Birds in London: Gardens, Parks & Urban Hotspots.
Showing 1–23 of 63 species
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally spotted over London's reservoirs in April and May en route to northern breeding grounds.
Apr–May
Avocet
Recurvirostra avosettaLC
A rare resident, occasionally breeding at London's wetland reserves. Most reliably seen at sites along the Thames estuary fringe.
Year-round
Bar-tailed Godwit
Limosa lapponicaNT
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally stopping at London's wetlands in April en route to Arctic breeding grounds.
Apr
Barn Owl
Tyto albaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to London's fringes, occasionally seen from autumn into winter. Favours rough grassland on the city's rural edges.
Sep–Jan
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
A rare resident, with small feral populations found in London's parks. Most sightings likely involve escaped or established non-native birds.
Nov–Aug
Bearded Tit
Panurus biarmicusLC
A rare resident of extensive reedbeds, found at select sites such as those in the Lee Valley and Rainham Marshes.
Apr–Jan
Black Redstart
Phoenicurus ochrurosLC
A rare spring passage migrant with a special affinity for London's industrial sites and buildings. One of the city's most sought-after birds.
Apr–May
Black Swan
Cygnus atratusLC
A rare and unexpected visitor, likely an escapee from collections. Occasionally reported on London's park lakes in late winter.
Feb–Mar
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Black-necked Grebe
Podiceps nigricollisLC
A rare autumn passage visitor to London's reservoirs and gravel pits, most likely in October and November.
Oct–Nov
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosaNT
A rare but year-round presence on London's reservoirs and wetlands. Numbers have increased nationally, with the Lee Valley a key site.
Jul–May
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulusLC
A rare and irruptive winter visitor, occasionally descending on berry-laden trees in London suburbs during invasion years, mainly in January.
Jan
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A rare passage visitor, sometimes joining Chaffinch flocks in parks and woodland edges during March and again in autumn.
Oct–Mar
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
A rare but year-round resident, quietly inhabiting wooded parks and larger gardens. Its soft, piping call is easily overlooked.
Year-round
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibisLC
A rare late-summer passage visitor, part of a species expanding northward into Britain. Occasionally noted at wetland sites and reservoirs.
Aug–Oct
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally seen on the Thames and larger reservoirs between November and March.
Nov–Mar
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
A rare but increasingly recorded resident, part of a recent national range expansion. Occasionally seen soaring over outer London.
Aug–May
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor, sometimes found in birch and alder along waterways from autumn to spring. Numbers vary greatly between years.
Sep–Apr
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
A rare passage visitor, sometimes glimpsed in wooded London parks during spring and autumn migration. Males show a striking orange breast.
Apr–Sep
Corn Bunting
Emberiza calandraLC
A rare passage visitor in spring, reflecting its severe national decline. Once bred on London's farmland fringes but now virtually absent.
Apr–May
Cuckoo
Cuculus canorusLC
A rare summer visitor whose distinctive call is now seldom heard across London. Declining nationally, it favours commons and heathland.
Apr–Aug
Curlew
Numenius arquataNT
A rare visitor to London's reservoirs and wetlands, most often seen on passage or during winter. Declining nationally, making local sightings increasingly noteworthy.
Jul–Apr
Dartford Warbler
Curruca undataNT
A rare non-breeding visitor to heathland fringes, occasionally recorded on outer London commons in autumn and winter.
Oct–Jan
Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLC
Present at London's reservoirs and muddy margins nearly year-round but rarely in numbers. Most often seen in winter and on passage.
Jul–May