Rare Birds in Norfolk
93 species matching this filter.
Norfolk is one of Britain's premier birdwatching destinations, and its diverse coastal marshes, estuaries, and inland wetlands attract a remarkable variety of rare species. With 114 birds classified as rare in the county, visitors may encounter elusive species such as European Honey-buzzard, Grey Phalarope, Little Auk, and Garganey. The county's position on the East Anglian coast makes it a vital stopover for scarce migrants and storm-blown vagrants alike.
Showing 1–23 of 93 species
Aquatic Warbler
Acrocephalus paludicolaVU
A globally threatened rarity, occasionally recorded on passage in coastal reedbeds and marshes during June.
Jun
Arctic Loon
Gavia arcticaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to Norfolk's coastal waters, occasionally seen offshore from October through winter.
Oct–Jan
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
A rare breeder at a few coastal colonies, arriving in spring and departing by October. Blakeney Point hosts notable numbers.
Apr–Oct
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
A rare resident of uncertain provenance — some are feral birds, while genuine wild Arctic migrants may appear in winter.
Year-round
Black Redstart
Phoenicurus ochrurosLC
A rare non-breeding visitor, occasionally seen around coastal buildings and industrial sites from autumn through early spring.
Oct–Apr
Black Tern
Chlidonias nigerLC
A rare passage migrant seen over coastal marshes and broads in spring and autumn, dipping gracefully to pick insects from the water's surface.
May–Sep
Black-necked Grebe
Podiceps nigricollisLC
A rare passage grebe, occasionally noted on coastal pools and reservoirs, most likely in late winter.
Feb
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulusLC
A rare and irruptive winter visitor from Scandinavia, appearing in some years in berry-laden trees in Norfolk's towns. Most likely in November to January.
Nov–Jan
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Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibisLC
A rare but increasingly recorded resident, often seen alongside livestock on grazing marshes as this species expands its range northward.
Year-round
Common Crane
Grus grusLC
A rare but increasing resident of the Norfolk Broads, where a reintroduced population breeds in secluded marshes and wet grasslands.
Year-round
Common Loon
Gavia immerLC
Scarce non-breeding visitor to offshore waters and sheltered bays from October to February.
Oct–Feb
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
A rare winter visitor to Norfolk's rivers and broads, most likely between November and March. Favours larger freshwater bodies.
Nov–Mar
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
An uncommon non-breeding visitor, increasingly seen over Norfolk as the species recolonises eastern England. Most records are from autumn and winter.
Aug–Apr
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
A scarce breeding bird in mature parkland and woodland, most often seen on passage in spring and autumn across Norfolk's wooded estates.
Apr–Oct
Corn Bunting
Emberiza calandraLC
A rare and declining breeding bird of open arable farmland, most likely encountered in the Breckland area from late winter to midsummer.
Feb–Jul
Dartford Warbler
Curruca undataNT
A rare passage visitor in spring, occasionally overshooting from southern heathlands into Norfolk in March and May.
Mar–May
Dotterel
Eudromias morinellusLC
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally stopping on Norfolk's ploughed fields and short grassland in small 'trips' during May.
May
Eider
Somateria mollissimaNT
A rare resident along the north Norfolk coast, often seen bobbing on the sea off Titchwell or Holkham. Numbers remain small year-round.
Year-round
Eurasian Bittern
Botaurus stellarisLC
Norfolk's reedbeds are a national stronghold for this secretive species; listen for its booming call at reserves like Bittern.
Year-round
Eurasian Stone-curlew
Burhinus oedicnemusLC
A rare and secretive summer breeder on the Breckland heaths, arriving in March and departing by September.
Mar–Sep
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Passer montanusLC
A rare resident, now very localised in Norfolk farmland. Often found near stubble fields and farmyards with supplementary feeding.
Year-round
Eurasian Woodcock
Scolopax rusticolaLC
A secretive resident of damp woodland, boosted in winter by Continental arrivals; best seen at dusk on roding flights in spring.
Oct–Jun
European Bee-eater
Merops apiasterLC
A rare and exciting summer vagrant, occasionally overshooting from the Continent. Sightings in Norfolk draw large crowds of birders.
Jun–Aug