Uncommon Birds in Northamptonshire
48 species matching this filter.
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.
Showing 24–46 of 48 species
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinereaLC
An uncommon year-round resident along the county's rivers and streams. Bobs its long tail constantly while foraging on weirs and waterways.
Year-round
Hobby
Falco subbuteoLC
A dashing summer visitor arriving in April, hunting dragonflies over reservoirs and gravel pits. Departs by October for African wintering grounds.
Apr–Oct
Kestrel
Falco tinnunculusLC
An uncommon resident often spotted hovering over roadside verges and open farmland. Numbers have declined in recent decades across the county.
Year-round
Lesser Whitethroat
Curruca currucaLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April, favouring tall hedgerows and scrubby thickets. Its rattling song is easily overlooked.
Apr–Sep
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
An uncommon year-round resident found on farmland edges and weedy fields. Numbers have declined significantly across the county in recent decades.
Year-round
Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubiusLC
An uncommon summer breeder at gravel pits and bare-ground sites, arriving in March and departing by September.
Mar–Sep
Marsh Tit
Poecile palustrisLC
An uncommon resident of mature deciduous woodland, found in sites like Salcey Forest and Yardley Chase year-round.
Year-round
Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensisLC
An uncommon resident found on rough grassland, reservoir edges, and farmland throughout the year, with numbers boosted by winter visitors.
Year-round
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Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorusLC
An uncommon resident of parkland, orchards and open woodland. One of the earliest songsters, singing from treetops even in midwinter.
Year-round
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
An uncommon non-breeding visitor to reservoirs and flooded fields from autumn through spring, with numbers peaking in winter.
Sep–Apr
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
An uncommon year-round resident on deeper lakes and reservoirs. Nationally declining, making Northamptonshire sites increasingly important.
Year-round
Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufaNT
An uncommon but established resident of arable fields and hedgerows, maintained partly through releases for shooting.
Year-round
Redshank
Tringa totanusLC
An uncommon year-round resident breeding on wet grassland. Numbers bolstered in winter by birds from further north.
Year-round
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
An uncommon breeder at gravel pits and reservoir margins, present from February to October with peak passage in spring.
Feb–Oct
Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
Feral populations are present year-round in towns across the county, though less conspicuous than in larger urban centres.
Year-round
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
An uncommon summer breeder nesting in sandy banks along rivers and at gravel pits, arriving from March.
Mar–Sep
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
An uncommon summer breeder found in reedbeds and waterside vegetation around the county's reservoirs and gravel pits from April to October.
Apr–Oct
Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLC
An uncommon but widespread resident hunting small birds in woodland, hedgerows and gardens throughout the county.
Year-round
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striataLC
An uncommon and declining summer visitor, arriving in May. Favours churchyards, parkland and woodland edges for its aerial flycatching sorties.
May–Oct
Stonechat
Saxicola torquatusLC
An uncommon non-breeding visitor to rough grassland and scrubby margins from autumn through winter. Often perches prominently on fence posts.
Sep–Mar
Treecreeper
Certhia familiarisLC
An uncommon but year-round resident, spiralling up tree trunks in mature woodland. Best found in the county's ancient woods like Salcey Forest.
Year-round
Water Rail
Rallus aquaticusLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of reedbeds and marshy margins, more often heard squealing than seen at sites like Pitsford.
Jul–Apr
Willow Warbler
Phylloscopus trochilusLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving from March, favouring scrubby woodland edges and young plantations. Has declined notably in lowland England.
Mar–Oct