Rare Birds in Northumberland
106 species matching this filter.
Northumberland's diverse landscapes — from the rugged North Sea coastline and the Farne Islands to the upland moors of the Cheviot Hills and the wetlands of the Northumbrian river valleys — attract a remarkable variety of rare bird species. With 94 species classified as rare in the county, patient birders may encounter elusive visitors such as Bohemian Waxwing, Eurasian Bittern, Great White Egret, and Hen Harrier. The county's position on the east coast migration flyway makes it a prime destination for unexpected vagrants and scarce passage migrants throughout the year.
Showing 24–46 of 106 species
Eurasian Bittern
Botaurus stellarisLC
A rare and secretive visitor to reedbeds, occasionally recorded in January and November. More often heard booming than seen.
Nov–Jan
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
A scarce resident of mature broadleaved and mixed woodland, more often heard than seen. Near the northern edge of its British range here.
Year-round
Eurasian Spoonbill
Platalea leucorodiaLC
A rare breeding visitor from March to September, part of a recent northward expansion. Occasionally seen at coastal wetlands and estuaries.
Mar–Sep
Eurasian Woodcock
Scolopax rusticolaLC
A secretive resident of damp woodland, best seen during roding display flights at dusk over Kielder and other forests.
Oct–Jun
European Green Woodpecker
Picus viridisLC
A rare visitor in spring, near the northern edge of its UK range. Occasionally wanders into southern Northumberland parkland and woodland.
Mar–May
European Pied Flycatcher
Ficedula hypoleucaLC
A rare summer breeder favouring mature oak woodlands, particularly in the North Tyne valley where nest boxes have aided its presence.
Apr–Sep
European Storm-petrel
Hydrobates pelagicusLC
A rare passage visitor seen offshore during August seawatching sessions, typically during strong onshore winds.
Aug
Firecrest
Regulus ignicapillaLC
A rare December passage visitor, occasionally turning up in coastal scrub and sheltered gardens along the Northumberland coast.
Dec
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Garden Warbler
Sylvia borinLC
A rare summer breeder found in dense scrub and woodland with thick undergrowth, present from May to October but easily overlooked.
May–Oct
Garganey
Spatula querquedulaLC
A rare summer visitor breeding at a few secluded freshwater wetlands from April to August. The UK's scarcest regularly breeding duck species.
Apr–Aug
Glaucous Gull
Larus hyperboreusLC
A rare Arctic visitor appearing in January and February, typically among flocks of larger gulls at harbours and coastal roosts.
Jan–Feb
Great Grey Shrike
Lanius excubitorLC
A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally seen perched prominently on bushes and fences across open moorland and heathland edges in October.
Oct
Great Shearwater
Ardenna gravisLC
A rare pelagic visitor occasionally seen from coastal headlands in November during strong onshore winds.
Nov
Great Skua
Catharacta skuaLC
Seen offshore from July to November, often harassing other seabirds. Best spotted during seawatches from coastal headlands.
Jul–Nov
Great White Egret
Ardea albaLC
A rare but increasingly recorded passage visitor in spring and autumn, favouring wetlands and coastal marshes.
Sep–Mar
Greater Scaup
Aythya marilaLC
A rare diving duck found on sheltered coastal waters and estuaries, mainly in winter. Absent during the summer breeding months.
Jul–Apr
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifronsLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally joining flocks of other grey geese on farmland or around Lindisfarne between November and March.
Nov–Mar
Greater Yellowlegs
Tringa melanoleucaNT
A rare Nearctic vagrant, occasionally turning up at coastal pools or estuaries in November. A prized find for Northumberland birders.
Nov
Green Sandpiper
Tringa ochropusLC
A scarce passage migrant from July to September, favouring muddy margins of inland pools and sheltered streams.
Jul–Sep
Grey Phalarope
Phalaropus fulicariusLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, typically storm-driven to the Northumberland coast in November. Usually found on sheltered pools near the shoreline.
Nov
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC
A rare passage visitor in November, this elusive finch may appear briefly in mature woodland with hornbeam or cherry trees.
Nov
Hen Harrier
Circus cyaneusLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to upland moors and coastal marshes in winter. Occasionally hunts over stubble fields and rough grassland.
Oct–Feb
Hooded Crow
Corvus cornixLC
A rare midwinter visitor, occasionally turning up along the coast. Northumberland lies near the boundary of Carrion and Hooded Crow ranges.
Jan