Uncommon Birds in Norfolk

77 species matching this filter.

All birds in Norfolk

Norfolk's diverse mosaic of coastal marshes, estuaries, Broads waterways, and farmland supports an impressive variety of uncommon bird species. With 77 species classified as uncommon in the county, birdwatchers can encounter striking visitors such as the Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew Sandpiper, and Goldeneye along the coast, while inland habitats harbour gems like the Common Kingfisher, Garden Warbler, and the increasingly scarce European Turtle-dove. Whether exploring the mudflats of the Wash or the reedbeds of the Norfolk Broads, patient observers will be rewarded with sightings of these less frequently seen but thoroughly rewarding species.

Goldcrest
GoldcrestSmallest · 8.5cm
to
Great White Egret
Great White EgretLargest · 104cm
Ranges from the Goldcrest (8.5cm) to the Great White Egret (104cm)35 families represented50 year-round residents

Showing 24–46 of 77 species

European Green Woodpecker

European Green Woodpecker

Picus viridisLC

An uncommon resident found in parkland, woodland edges and churchyards, often heard giving its loud laughing call.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
European Pied Flycatcher

European Pied Flycatcher

Ficedula hypoleucaLC

An uncommon autumn passage migrant in August and September, mainly along the coast. Does not breed in Norfolk but passes through on southward migration.

Aug–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
European Turtle-dove

European Turtle-dove

Streptopelia turturVU

A declining summer visitor arriving in late April, favouring hedgerows and woodland edges. Norfolk remains one of its last English strongholds.

Apr–Sep

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

Fieldfare

Turdus pilarisLC

An uncommon winter visitor from Scandinavia, arriving from October. Roaming flocks feed on berries in hedgerows and open fields across Norfolk.

Oct–Apr

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

Garden Warbler

Sylvia borinLC

An uncommon and unobtrusive summer breeder in dense woodland understorey. Present from April to September; easily overlooked due to its plain plumage.

Apr–Sep

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

Goldcrest

Regulus regulusLC

A resident of coniferous and mixed woodland, with numbers swelling in autumn as Continental birds arrive along the Norfolk coast.

Year-round

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

Golden Plover

Pluvialis apricariaLC

Present most of the year on Norfolk's farmland and coastal marshes, forming large winter flocks often mixed with Lapwings.

Jul–May

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

Goldeneye

Bucephala clangulaLC

An uncommon winter visitor to Norfolk's broads and gravel pits from October to April. Often seen diving on open freshwater lakes.

Oct–Apr

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

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Great Crested Grebe

Great Crested Grebe

Podiceps cristatusLC

Present year-round on the Broads and larger lakes, performing its elaborate courtship display in spring.

Year-round

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

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Dendrocopos majorLC

An uncommon resident of woodlands, parks, and mature gardens, often betrayed by its loud drumming in spring.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Great White Egret

Great White Egret

Ardea albaLC

An increasingly regular sight on Norfolk's marshes and Broads, this tall white heron is present year-round but remains uncommon.

Year-round

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

Green Sandpiper

Tringa ochropusLC

An uncommon but regular visitor to freshwater margins and ditches, most frequently encountered during autumn passage.

Feb–Dec

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

Greenshank

Tringa nebulariaLC

An uncommon but year-round presence on coastal pools and estuaries, most conspicuous during autumn passage.

Year-round

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

Grey Plover

Pluvialis squatarolaLC

Found year-round on Norfolk's mudflats and saltmarshes, with numbers peaking in winter. Favours the north coast estuaries and the Wash.

Year-round

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

Grey Wagtail

Motacilla cinereaLC

An uncommon resident, scarcer in Norfolk than in western Britain. Found near streams, weirs, and waterways, bobbing its long tail constantly.

Year-round

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

Hobby

Falco subbuteoLC

An uncommon summer breeder, arriving in April and hunting dragonflies over the Broads and heathland pools.

Apr–Oct

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 woodland edges, present from April to October.

Apr–Oct

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

Little Grebe

Tachybaptus ruficollisLC

A resident of sheltered ponds, lakes and slow rivers year-round. Its distinctive whinnying call is often heard from dense waterside vegetation.

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 Norfolk's gravel pits and reservoir margins, arriving in March and departing by September.

Mar–Sep

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

Little Stint

Calidris minutaLC

An uncommon but regular visitor to coastal scrapes and pools, mainly on autumn passage from July to November.

May–Nov

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

Little Tern

Sternula albifronsLC

An uncommon summer breeder nesting on shingle beaches from May to September. Colonies are carefully wardened against disturbance.

May–Sep

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

Marsh Tit

Poecile palustrisLC

An uncommon resident of mature deciduous woodland. Despite its name, favours drier woods rather than marshes; declining nationally.

Year-round

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

Mistle Thrush

Turdus viscivorusLC

An uncommon resident of parkland and open woodland, often singing from tall treetops from late winter onwards.

Year-round

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