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 47–69 of 77 species

Northern Gannet

Northern Gannet

Morus bassanusLC

Seen offshore year-round, often spectacularly plunge-diving for fish. Passage numbers peak in autumn off the north Norfolk coast.

Year-round

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

Northern Pintail

Anas acutaLC

An elegant dabbling duck found on coastal marshes and flooded fields. Numbers peak in winter at sites like Cley and Holkham.

Aug–May

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Pink-footed Goose

Pink-footed Goose

Anser brachyrhynchusLC

Huge wintering flocks gather on north Norfolk's marshes and sugar beet fields. Numbers peak from October to March at sites like Holkham.

Year-round

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

Pochard

Aythya ferinaVU

An uncommon year-round resident on deeper lakes and broads. Numbers have declined nationally, making Norfolk sites increasingly important.

Year-round

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

Razorbill

Alca tordaLC

A non-breeding visitor seen offshore and in coastal waters from late summer through winter. Numbers increase after autumn gales.

Aug–Jan

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

Red Kite

Milvus milvusLC

An uncommon but increasing resident, now seen soaring over farmland and woodland edges across the county year-round.

Year-round

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

Red Knot

Calidris canutusNT

Flocks gather on the Wash and north Norfolk mudflats, peaking in winter. An impressive sight when thousands wheel in tight formation.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-breasted Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Mergus serratorLC

An uncommon non-breeding visitor to estuaries and coastal waters from autumn to spring. Often seen in harbours and tidal creeks.

Sep–Apr

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

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Red-legged Partridge

Red-legged Partridge

Alectoris rufaNT

An uncommon but year-round resident of arable farmland and field margins. An introduced species now well established across Norfolk.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-throated Loon

Red-throated Loon

Gavia stellataLC

An uncommon non-breeding visitor, wintering offshore and in coastal waters. Often seen flying low over the sea in small numbers.

Aug–Apr

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

Redwing

Turdus iliacusNT

A winter visitor from Scandinavia, foraging in hedgerows and fields across Norfolk. Large arrivals sometimes occur on the coast in October.

Sep–Apr

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

Ringed Plover

Charadrius hiaticulaLC

Breeds on shingle beaches and sandy shores year-round. Nesting sites along the north Norfolk coast are vulnerable to disturbance.

Year-round

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

Rock Dove

Columba liviaLC

Feral populations inhabit Norfolk's towns and coastal cliffs year-round. Most birds are of mixed domestic ancestry.

Year-round

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

Rock Pipit

Anthus petrosusLC

An uncommon non-breeding visitor to rocky sea walls and saltmarshes along the Norfolk coast from autumn through to early spring.

Sep–Mar

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

Ruddy Turnstone

Arenaria interpresLC

Present year-round along Norfolk's rocky groynes and shingle shores, busily flipping stones and seaweed for invertebrates.

Year-round

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

Ruff

Philomachus pugnaxLC

An uncommon year-round resident of Norfolk's freshwater marshes and scrapes, with numbers boosted by passage birds in spring and autumn.

Year-round

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

Sand Martin

Riparia ripariaLC

An uncommon summer breeder, nesting colonially in sandy riverbanks and quarries. Arrives in March and departs by September.

Mar–Sep

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

Sanderling

Calidris albaLC

Found year-round on sandy beaches along the north Norfolk coast, often in small flocks racing along the tideline.

Year-round

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

Sandwich Tern

Thalasseus sandvicensisLC

Breeds at key colonies such as Scolt Head and Blakeney Point from April. Plunge-dives for fish in shallow coastal waters.

Apr–Oct

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

Snow Bunting

Plectrophenax nivalisLC

An uncommon winter visitor to Norfolk's beaches and saltmarshes, often seen in small parties along the north coast from October to March.

Oct–Mar

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

Sparrowhawk

Accipiter nisusLC

A year-round resident across Norfolk's woodlands, hedgerows, and gardens, often glimpsed dashing low through cover in pursuit of small birds.

Year-round

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

Spotted Flycatcher

Muscicapa striataLC

An uncommon and declining summer breeder, arriving in May. Favours woodland edges and churchyards, sallying out from perches to catch insects.

May–Sep

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

Stonechat

Saxicola torquatusLC

An uncommon year-round resident favouring coastal heathland and gorse-covered commons along the Norfolk coast.

Year-round

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