Rare Birds in Norfolk

93 species matching this filter.

All birds in Norfolk

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.

Firecrest
FirecrestSmallest · 9cm
to
Whooper Swan
Whooper SwanLargest · 165cm
Ranges from the Firecrest (9cm) to the Whooper Swan (165cm)38 families represented21 year-round residents

Showing 24–46 of 93 species

European Honey-buzzard

European Honey-buzzard

Pernis apivorusLC

A rare passage migrant through Norfolk in midsummer, sometimes seen soaring over wooded areas en route to African wintering grounds.

Jul

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

European Shag

Phalacrocorax aristotelisLC

A rare passage visitor to rocky coastal areas in autumn and early winter, far less common than Cormorant here.

Sep–Dec

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

Firecrest

Regulus ignicapillaLC

A rare resident and passage migrant, found in sheltered coastal scrub and conifer stands, mainly in winter months.

Oct–May

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

Fulmar

Fulmarus glacialisLC

Breeds in small numbers on the north Norfolk chalk cliffs, notably at Hunstanton, present year-round.

Year-round

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

Garganey

Spatula querquedulaLC

A rare summer breeder on freshwater marshes from March to September. Norfolk's wetlands are among its few regular UK breeding sites.

Mar–Sep

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

Glaucous Gull

Larus hyperboreusLC

A rare winter visitor from the Arctic, occasionally found among gull flocks at harbours and tips in January and February.

Jan–Feb

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

Grasshopper Warbler

Locustella naeviaLC

A rare and secretive breeding visitor from April to July. Best detected by its insect-like reeling song from dense scrub and marshy grassland.

Apr–Jul

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Great Grey Shrike

Great Grey Shrike

Lanius excubitorLC

A rare passage visitor in March and October, occasionally lingering on heathland or scrubby commons in the Brecks.

Oct–Mar

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

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Great Skua

Great Skua

Catharacta skuaLC

A powerful seabird seen offshore mainly in late summer and autumn. Best observed during seawatches from headlands like Sheringham.

Aug–Dec

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

Greater Scaup

Aythya marilaLC

A rare winter visitor to Norfolk's coastal waters and broads, most likely seen among flocks of Tufted Duck from November to March.

Nov–Mar

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Greater White-fronted Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose

Anser albifronsLC

A rare winter visitor to coastal grazing marshes and flood meadows from October to March. The Yare Valley is a key site.

Oct–Mar

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

Grey Partridge

Perdix perdixLC

A declining resident of Norfolk's arable farmland and field margins. Increasingly hard to find despite conservation efforts on estates.

Year-round

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

Grey Phalarope

Phalaropus fulicariusLC

A rare autumn passage visitor, typically storm-driven to the coast between September and November. Most often seen at sea or sheltering in harbours.

Sep–Nov

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

Hawfinch

Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC

A rare and elusive winter visitor, occasionally recorded in mature woodland and parkland, particularly during irruption years.

Oct–Mar

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

Hen Harrier

Circus cyaneusLC

A rare winter visitor to Norfolk's coastal marshes and reedbeds, with birds arriving from October and lingering into early spring.

Oct–Apr

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

Horned Grebe

Podiceps auritusVU

Scarce non-breeding visitor to sheltered coastal waters and estuaries from October to February.

Oct–Feb

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

Horned Lark

Eremophila alpestrisLC

A scarce winter visitor favouring shingle beaches and saltmarshes along the north Norfolk coast, often associating with Snow Buntings.

Oct–Mar

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

Iceland Gull

Larus glaucoidesLC

A rare winter visitor, occasionally appearing at coastal harbours and gull roosts in midwinter months.

Dec–Jan

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

Jack Snipe

Lymnocryptes minimusLC

A rare and secretive passage visitor to Norfolk's wet marshes and boggy ditches, most likely flushed in October or November.

Oct–Mar

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

Kittiwake

Rissa tridactylaVU

Present year-round but scarce, often seen from shore during seawatches. UK populations have declined dramatically in recent decades.

Year-round

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

Lapland Longspur

Calcarius lapponicusLC

A rare passage migrant, mainly seen on the north Norfolk coast in autumn among stubble fields and coastal marshes.

Sep–Mar

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

Dryobates minorLC

A rare and declining species, occasionally noted in mature broadleaved woodland during early spring. One of Britain's most threatened woodpeckers.

Mar

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

Little Auk

Alle alleLC

A rare late-autumn visitor, sometimes driven close to Norfolk's shores by North Sea gales in November, occasionally found beached.

Nov

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