Uncommon Birds in Suffolk

68 species matching this filter.

All birds in Suffolk

Suffolk's diverse landscapes — from the reedbeds of Minsmere to the Brecks heathlands and the estuaries of the Stour and Deben — support a fascinating array of uncommon bird species. This page features 68 species that occur in the county but are not regularly encountered, including secretive specialists such as the Eurasian Bittern, the charismatic Eurasian Stone-curlew, and winter visitors like the Fieldfare. Whether you're exploring coastal marshes or inland woodlands, these are the birds that make a Suffolk birding trip truly rewarding.

Yellow-browed Warbler
Yellow-browed WarblerSmallest · 10cm
to
Whooper Swan
Whooper SwanLargest · 165cm
Ranges from the Yellow-browed Warbler (10cm) to the Whooper Swan (165cm)28 families represented40 year-round residents

Showing 1–23 of 68 species

Bar-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit

Limosa lapponicaNT

Present year-round on Suffolk's estuaries and mudflats, with numbers boosted in winter by Arctic-breeding birds.

Year-round

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

Barnacle Goose

Branta leucopsisLC

An uncommon year-round resident, with feral birds on some Suffolk marshes. Winter numbers may be boosted by wild arrivals from Arctic breeding grounds.

Year-round

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

Bearded Tit

Panurus biarmicusLC

A year-round resident of Suffolk's extensive reedbeds, with Minsmere and Walberswick among its key sites.

Year-round

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

Brent Goose

Branta berniclaLC

Winters on Suffolk's estuaries and coastal marshes, with dark-bellied birds favouring sites like the Deben and Alde. Absent during midsummer.

Aug–May

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

Bullfinch

Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC

An uncommon but year-round resident of Suffolk's hedgerows and woodland edges. Its soft, piping call often betrays its presence.

Year-round

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

Common Kingfisher

Alcedo atthisLC

A year-round resident along Suffolk's rivers, streams, and coastal ditches. A flash of electric blue along waterways.

Year-round

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

Common Merganser

Mergus merganserLC

Uncommon winter visitor found on Suffolk's rivers and larger water bodies, often seen in small groups diving for fish.

Nov–Apr

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

Common Redpoll

Acanthis flammeaLC

An uncommon resident of birch and alder woodland. Numbers fluctuate with winter influxes from the Continent boosting local birds.

Sep–May

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

Spotted something?

Upload a photo to identify it

Identify
Common Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucosLC

An uncommon passage and breeding visitor, bobbing along Suffolk's river edges and reservoir margins from spring to autumn.

Feb–Oct

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

Common Scoter

Melanitta nigraLC

An uncommon sea duck present year-round offshore, with numbers peaking in winter. Best spotted from coastal vantage points during calm-sea seawatches.

Year-round

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

Common Snipe

Gallinago gallinagoLC

An uncommon resident of Suffolk's wet grasslands and marshes, with numbers swelling in winter as continental birds arrive.

Year-round

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

Cuckoo

Cuculus canorusLC

A declining summer visitor whose distinctive call echoes across Suffolk's reedbeds and heathlands from April to September.

Apr–Sep

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

Dartford Warbler

Curruca undataNT

An uncommon resident of Suffolk's lowland heaths, favouring dense gorse. Vulnerable to harsh winters but slowly increasing in range.

Year-round

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

Egyptian Goose

Alopochen aegyptiacaLC

An established year-round resident, increasingly common around lakes and parkland. Part of East Anglia's growing feral population, breeding in tree holes.

Year-round

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

Eurasian Bittern

Botaurus stellarisLC

A flagship resident of Suffolk's reedbeds, with Minsmere a key stronghold. Best detected by its distinctive booming call in spring.

Year-round

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

Eurasian Nuthatch

Sitta europaeaLC

An uncommon but increasing resident of mature deciduous woodland and parkland. Listen for its loud ringing call throughout the year.

Year-round

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

Eurasian Siskin

Spinus spinusLC

An uncommon resident favouring alder and birch stands. Winter flocks are boosted by Continental birds visiting garden feeders.

Year-round

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

Eurasian Spoonbill

Platalea leucorodiaLC

An uncommon breeder, now nesting at key Suffolk wetlands. A conservation success story, with numbers steadily increasing in the region.

Feb–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Eurasian Stone-curlew

Eurasian Stone-curlew

Burhinus oedicnemusLC

A scarce breeding visitor to the Brecks heathland, arriving in spring. Suffolk is a key stronghold for this declining species.

Mar–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
European Turtle-dove

European Turtle-dove

Streptopelia turturVU

A declining summer visitor breeding in Suffolk's hedgerows and farmland from April to September. One of the county's most threatened species.

Apr–Sep

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

Fieldfare

Turdus pilarisLC

An uncommon winter visitor arriving from Scandinavia, often seen in roving flocks feeding on hedgerow berries across Suffolk's farmland.

Oct–Apr

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

Garden Warbler

Sylvia borinLC

An uncommon summer breeder found in dense woodland undergrowth. Its rich warbling song is easier to detect than the bird itself.

Apr–Sep

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

Golden Plover

Pluvialis apricariaLC

An uncommon visitor to ploughed fields and coastal marshes, mainly outside summer. Large winter flocks sometimes gather on arable land inland.

Jul–Apr

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Uncommon Birds in Suffolk | Birdfact