Uncommon Birds in Manchester
40 species matching this filter.
Manchester's diverse habitats—from urban reservoirs and canal corridors to the moorland fringes of the Pennines—support a surprising variety of uncommon bird species. Around 40 species fall into this category, including raptors such as the Buzzard, winter visitors like the Fieldfare, and wetland specialists such as Cetti's Warbler and Common Reed-warbler. Whether you're exploring the Mersey Valley or the upland edges, these less frequently encountered birds reward patient observation throughout the year.
Showing 1–23 of 40 species
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
An increasingly familiar sight soaring over farmland and moorland edges, having recolonised the region in recent decades.
Year-round
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
A year-round resident expanding its range northward. Skulks in dense waterside vegetation, more often heard giving its explosive burst of song.
Year-round
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
Present most of the year on playing fields, reservoirs, and car parks, often mixed in with other gull flocks.
Jul–May
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
An uncommon year-round resident along clean rivers and canals, including the Mersey and Irwell. A flash of electric blue rewards patient watchers.
Year-round
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
Frequents the Mersey and Irwell rivers year-round, often seen fishing in fast-flowing stretches. Known locally as goosander.
Year-round
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
An uncommon resident on farmland and green fringes around the city. Released birds sustain the population year-round.
Year-round
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, spreading from the Pennine moorland edges into more urban areas. Its deep cronking call is now heard year-round.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
An uncommon resident found in birch and alder woodland, particularly along river valleys. Small, twittering flocks forage acrobatically in treetops.
Year-round
Spotted something?
Upload a photo to identify it
Identify
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
An uncommon summer visitor breeding in reedbeds at local wetland reserves like Woolston Eyes and Sale Water Park from April to September.
Apr–Sep
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
An uncommon breeding visitor from April to September, bobbing along stony riverbanks and reservoir edges across the region.
Apr–Sep
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
An uncommon resident of boggy moorland edges and marshy fields, more conspicuous in winter when birds gather at lowland wetlands.
Year-round
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
An uncommon breeding visitor from April to August, nesting on rafts and islands at sites like Pennington Flash and Elton Reservoir.
Apr–Aug
Curlew
Numenius arquataNT
Breeds on upland moorland fringing the city, arriving from February. A declining species of conservation concern.
Feb–Aug
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegusNT
An uncommon but year-round resident, increasingly breeding inland on gravel rooftops and playing fields across Greater Manchester.
Year-round
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
An uncommon resident favouring alder and conifer woodland. Often visits garden nyjer feeders in winter, sometimes in small, lively flocks.
Year-round
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
An uncommon resident of open farmland and moorland fringes. Song flights can be heard on the Pennine edges, though numbers have declined significantly.
Year-round
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
An uncommon visitor mainly from autumn to spring, grazing on flooded fields and reservoir margins across Greater Manchester.
Aug–May
Fieldfare
Turdus pilarisLC
A winter thrush arriving from Scandinavia, present October to April. Flocks feed on berries in hedgerows and open farmland around the city fringe.
Oct–Apr
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
Found year-round on well-vegetated lakes and lodges. Quieter than its relatives, often overlooked among Mallards.
Year-round
Goldeneye
Bucephala clangulaLC
An uncommon diving duck on reservoirs and lodges, mainly in winter. Males flash striking white plumage in display.
Jul–May
Great Black-backed Gull
Larus marinusLC
An uncommon but year-round resident, often seen loafing at reservoirs and tips. The largest gull in the region, dwarfing nearby Herring Gulls.
Year-round
Kestrel
Falco tinnunculusLC
An uncommon year-round resident, often seen hovering over motorway verges and rough grassland on the urban fringe. Numbers have declined locally.
Year-round
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
An uncommon resident of rough grassland, allotments, and scrubby farmland margins. Numbers have declined nationally but small flocks persist locally.
Year-round