Uncommon Birds in Northamptonshire

48 species matching this filter.

All birds in Northamptonshire

Northamptonshire may be a landlocked county, but its diverse mix of reservoirs, river valleys, and ancient woodlands supports a surprising variety of uncommon bird species. Among the 48 species classified as uncommon in the region, birdwatchers can encounter everything from the striking Bullfinch in hedgerows and woodland edges to passage waders such as Greenshank and Green Sandpiper at wetland sites like Pitsford Reservoir and the Nene Valley gravel pits. Species like the Common Reed-warbler and Garden Warbler add a rich soundtrack to the county's reedbeds and scrubby habitats during the breeding season.

Coal Tit
Coal TitSmallest · 10cm
to
Great White Egret
Great White EgretLargest · 104cm
Ranges from the Coal Tit (10cm) to the Great White Egret (104cm)27 families represented28 year-round residents

Showing 1–23 of 48 species

Bullfinch

Bullfinch

Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC

An uncommon but widespread resident of hedgerows and woodland scrub. Shy and unobtrusive, often betrayed by its soft piping call.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Cetti's Warbler

Cetti's Warbler

Cettia cettiLC

An uncommon but increasing resident skulking in dense waterside vegetation, more often heard than seen.

Year-round

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

Coal Tit

Periparus aterLC

An uncommon but year-round resident of coniferous and mixed woodland, also visiting garden feeders in winter.

Year-round

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

Common Gull

Larus canusLC

An uncommon resident, most numerous in winter on playing fields and reservoirs. Scarcer in summer than other gulls.

Jul–May

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

Common Kingfisher

Alcedo atthisLC

An uncommon but year-round resident along rivers and canal banks, its electric-blue flash a rewarding sight.

Year-round

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

Common Merganser

Mergus merganserLC

An uncommon resident mainly seen in winter on rivers and reservoirs, with small numbers lingering into spring.

Nov–May

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

Common Raven

Corvus coraxLC

An uncommon but increasing resident, recolonising the county after a long absence. Deep cronking calls betray its presence over woodland and farmland.

Year-round

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

Common Redpoll

Acanthis flammeaLC

An uncommon non-breeding visitor, typically found in birch and alder along river valleys from autumn to early spring.

Sep–Apr

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

Spotted something?

Upload a photo to identify it

Identify
Common Reed-warbler

Common Reed-warbler

Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC

An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April, singing its chattering song from reedbeds and waterside vegetation.

Apr–Sep

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

Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucosLC

An uncommon summer visitor, bobbing along reservoir shores and gravel pit edges from April to September.

Apr–Sep

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

Common Snipe

Gallinago gallinagoLC

An uncommon resident of wet meadows and marshy areas, most conspicuous when flushed from waterside vegetation in winter.

Jul–May

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

Cuckoo

Cuculus canorusLC

An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April, its distinctive call heard around woodland edges and reedbeds until July.

Apr–Jul

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

Eurasian Jay

Garrulus glandariusLC

An uncommon but resident woodland bird, most conspicuous in autumn when caching acorns in parks and hedgerows.

Year-round

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

Eurasian Nuthatch

Sitta europaeaLC

An uncommon resident of mature deciduous woodland and parkland. Loud ringing calls echo through the county's older wooded estates.

Year-round

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

Eurasian Siskin

Spinus spinusLC

An uncommon winter visitor frequenting alder and birch trees along rivers and in parks, present from autumn through to spring.

Sep–Apr

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

Eurasian Skylark

Alauda arvensisLC

An uncommon resident of arable farmland and grassland, declining due to agricultural intensification. Song flights are a feature of open fields in spring.

Year-round

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

Garden Warbler

Sylvia borinLC

An uncommon summer breeder arriving in late April, favouring dense scrub and woodland with thick undergrowth.

Apr–Aug

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

Golden Plover

Pluvialis apricariaLC

An uncommon non-breeding visitor forming flocks on ploughed fields and pastures from autumn through spring.

Sep–Apr

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

Goldeneye

Bucephala clangulaLC

An uncommon winter visitor to reservoirs and gravel pits, present from October to April with peak numbers in midwinter.

Oct–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Great Black-backed Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Larus marinusLC

An uncommon resident found year-round at large reservoirs and landfill sites, often joining winter gull roosts in good numbers.

Jul–May

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

Great White Egret

Ardea albaLC

An uncommon but increasingly regular resident at reservoirs and gravel pits. Part of a national range expansion from continental Europe.

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 muddy reservoir edges and watercress beds, present most months except late spring.

Jul–Apr

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

Greenshank

Tringa nebulariaLC

An uncommon visitor mainly on passage, favouring reservoir margins and gravel pits from late spring through autumn.

Apr–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Page 1 of 3Next

Frequently Asked Questions