Rare Birds in Nottinghamshire
76 species matching this filter.
Nottinghamshire may be a landlocked county, but its diverse habitats — from the wetlands of the Idle Valley and Attenborough Nature Reserve to the ancient woodlands of Sherwood Forest — attract a surprising variety of rare bird species. With 76 species classified as rare, patient birdwatchers may be rewarded with sightings of elusive visitors such as Bohemian Waxwing, Eurasian Bittern, Hawfinch, and passage migrants like Arctic Tern and Greenshank. The county's gravel pits, reservoirs, and river corridors serve as vital stopover points for scarce migrants and occasional winter wanderers.
Showing 24–46 of 76 species
Garganey
Spatula querquedulaLC
A rare and declining summer passage migrant, occasionally seen at marshy pools in spring and autumn. A prized find at Idle valley wetlands.
Apr–Sep
Golden Plover
Pluvialis apricariaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor forming flocks on arable fields and wet grassland from autumn through winter, often alongside lapwings.
Sep–Mar
Grasshopper Warbler
Locustella naeviaLC
A rare and secretive summer breeder, more often heard than seen. Its insect-like reeling song emanates from dense scrub and young plantations.
Apr–Aug
Great Grey Shrike
Lanius excubitorLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally turning up on heathland and scrubby edges. Most records fall in late autumn and early spring on passage.
Nov–Mar
Greater Scaup
Aythya marilaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to larger reservoirs and gravel pits from late autumn to early spring. Usually found among Tufted Duck flocks.
Nov–Apr
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifronsLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded in midwinter among other goose flocks on the Trent floodplain and larger wetlands.
Jan
Greenshank
Tringa nebulariaLC
A rare breeder present from April to September, favouring gravel pits and reservoir margins. Its ringing call carries across the Trent Valley wetlands.
Apr–Sep
Grey Partridge
Perdix perdixLC
A rare and declining resident of arable farmland. Once widespread, it now clings on in small numbers on traditional mixed farms across the county.
Year-round
Spotted something?
Upload a photo to identify it
Identify
Grey Plover
Pluvialis squatarolaLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally stopping at Trent valley gravel pits and flooded fields in spring on its way to Arctic breeding grounds.
May
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC
A rare and elusive winter visitor, occasionally recorded in mature woodland with hornbeam and cherry trees.
Nov–Mar
Horned Grebe
Podiceps auritusVU
A rare winter passage visitor in December, occasionally found on larger reservoirs and gravel pits across the county.
Dec
Jack Snipe
Lymnocryptes minimusLC
A secretive autumn passage visitor, rarely flushed from boggy margins at wetland sites in October. Easily overlooked due to its skulking habits.
Oct
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Dryobates minorLC
A rare passage visitor recorded between January and April. This declining species is occasionally noted in mature broadleaved woodland during late winter.
Jan–Apr
Little Gull
Hydrocoloeus minutusLC
A rare spring passage visitor in April, occasionally seen over reservoirs and larger gravel pits in the Trent Valley.
Apr
Little Owl
Athene noctuaLC
A rare and elusive record in the county, occasionally noted around old farmsteads and parkland with mature trees and rough grassland.
Jul
Little Stint
Calidris minutaLC
A rare autumn passage migrant in September and October, occasionally found feeding on muddy scrapes at county wetland reserves.
Sep–Oct
Long-eared Owl
Asio otusLC
A rare and secretive passage visitor, occasionally noted in late spring. Dense conifer plantations offer the best chance of an encounter.
May–Jun
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
A scarce but resident breeder, favouring wooded lakes and rivers such as the Idle valley. Males are strikingly ornate but often elusive.
Year-round
Marsh Tit
Poecile palustrisLC
A scarce resident of mature deciduous woodland, found at sites like Sherwood Forest and Clumber Park. Declining nationally, making local populations valuable.
Year-round
Merlin
Falco columbariusLC
A rare passage visitor, most likely glimpsed in November dashing low over open ground in pursuit of small birds and pipits.
Nov
Nightjar
Caprimulgus europaeusLC
A rare summer breeder found on heathland in Sherwood Forest, best detected by its churring song at dusk from May to July.
May–Jul
Northern Goshawk
Accipiter gentilisLC
A rare breeding raptor centred on large woodland blocks such as Sherwood Forest. Secretive but increasingly established.
Feb–Aug
Osprey
Pandion haliaetusLC
A rare but eagerly awaited passage visitor in summer, seen fishing at larger lakes and reservoirs in the Trent Valley.
Jun–Jul