Rare Birds in Northamptonshire
74 species matching this filter.
Northamptonshire may be a landlocked county, but its reservoirs, river valleys, and mixed farmland attract a surprising variety of rare bird species throughout the year. With 74 species classified as rare, patient observers may encounter anything from passage Arctic Terns and Black-tailed Godwits at the county's reservoirs to winter visitors such as Bohemian Waxwings and Hen Harriers quartering open fields. Scarce breeders like the Eurasian Tree Sparrow and elusive Eurasian Bittern add further excitement for birders exploring this often-overlooked county.
Showing 47–69 of 74 species
Purple Heron
Ardea purpureaLC
A rare overshooting migrant with occasional June records, typically seen at wetland sites with extensive reedbeds.
Jun
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally appearing in conifer plantations during irruption years, mainly between July and November.
Jul–Nov
Red Knot
Calidris canutusNT
A rare spring passage visitor, occasionally stopping at reservoir margins and gravel pits in May during northward migration.
May
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serratorLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally appearing on larger waterbodies in February, far from its usual coastal haunts.
Feb
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufinaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to reservoirs and gravel pits, most often recorded in winter months and occasionally in late summer.
Aug–Apr
Red-necked Grebe
Podiceps grisegenaLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally turning up on larger reservoirs in late winter. A notable county record when found.
Feb
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellataLC
A rare passage visitor, very occasionally recorded on reservoirs in late winter. An exciting inland record for the county.
Feb
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatusLC
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally stopping on open farmland and hilltops in April as it heads to upland breeding grounds further north and west.
Apr
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Rose-ringed Parakeet
Alexandrinus krameriLC
A rare but increasing resident, part of the expanding feral population spreading from London. Noisy flocks occasionally appear at garden feeders.
Year-round
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensisLC
Once bred locally but now very rare following national eradication efforts; occasional lingering birds are still recorded at gravel pits.
Sep–May
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpresLC
A rare passage visitor to reservoir edges in May and August, far from its usual coastal haunts.
May–Aug
Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
A rare visitor to shallow wetland margins, occurring mainly on spring and autumn passage at the county's reservoirs.
Mar–Dec
Sanderling
Calidris albaLC
Rarely recorded inland, this coastal wader occasionally stops at gravel pits and reservoirs on spring passage in May and June.
May–Jun
Smew
Mergellus albellusLC
A rare and elegant winter visitor to the county's reservoirs and gravel pits, most likely during cold spells from November to March.
Nov–Mar
Spotted Redshank
Tringa erythropusLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally seen at reservoir and gravel pit margins from August to October.
Aug–Oct
Tawny Owl
Strix alucoLC
A scarce resident of mature woodland and parkland, more often heard than seen. Its hooting call carries across the county's quieter wooded valleys.
Year-round
Tree Pipit
Anthus trivialisLC
A rare summer breeder arriving in April, favouring open woodland and heathland edges. Has declined sharply across lowland England.
Apr–Jun
Tundra Swan
Cygnus columbianusLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally turning up on larger reservoirs in November and December during cold spells.
Nov–Dec
Western Marsh-harrier
Circus aeruginosusLC
A rare but increasingly recorded resident, hunting over reedbeds and marshes at key wetland sites outside the summer months.
Jul–Apr
Wheatear
Oenanthe oenantheLC
A rare visitor seen on open farmland and reservoir margins during spring and autumn passage, pausing briefly on short turf and ploughed fields.
Mar–Oct
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopusLC
A rare spring passage migrant, with small numbers passing through in April and May, often detected by their distinctive call.
Apr–May
Whinchat
Saxicola rubetraLC
A rare autumn passage migrant in August and September, pausing briefly on rough grassland and scrubby field margins during southward migration.
Aug–Sep
Whooper Swan
Cygnus cygnusLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally seen on reservoirs and flooded fields in midwinter and during October movements.
Oct–Jan