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 47–68 of 68 species

Red-throated Loon

Red-throated Loon

Gavia stellataLC

A non-breeding visitor to Suffolk's coastal waters from autumn through spring, often seen flying low offshore.

Sep–Apr

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

Redwing

Turdus iliacusNT

An uncommon winter visitor arriving from Scandinavia, present October to April. Feeds in hedgerows and on berry-laden trees across the county.

Oct–Apr

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

Ringed Plover

Charadrius hiaticulaLC

An uncommon resident nesting on Suffolk's shingle beaches, with numbers boosted by passage migrants in spring and autumn.

Year-round

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

Rock Dove

Columba liviaLC

Present year-round in Suffolk's towns and along coastal cliffs, though most birds are feral descendants rather than truly wild stock.

Year-round

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

Rock Pipit

Anthus petrosusLC

An uncommon non-breeding visitor to Suffolk's rocky coastal structures and sea walls from September to March. Feeds along the tideline.

Sep–Mar

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

Ruddy Turnstone

Arenaria interpresLC

Present year-round along Suffolk's rocky groynes and shingle beaches, busily flipping stones for invertebrates.

Year-round

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

Ruff

Philomachus pugnaxLC

An uncommon wader found year-round on Suffolk's coastal marshes, with numbers peaking during autumn passage.

Year-round

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

Sandwich Tern

Thalasseus sandvicensisLC

Breeds at key Suffolk coastal colonies from April to October. Often seen plunge-diving offshore at sites like Minsmere.

Apr–Oct

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

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Sparrowhawk

Sparrowhawk

Accipiter nisusLC

A year-round resident found in woodland, farmland, and gardens across Suffolk. Often seen dashing along hedgerows.

Year-round

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

Spotted Redshank

Tringa erythropusLC

An uncommon but year-round presence on Suffolk's estuaries, often seen feeding on mudflats at sites like the Alde-Ore.

Year-round

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

Treecreeper

Certhia familiarisLC

An uncommon but year-round resident of mature woodland, spiralling up tree trunks in search of insects. Easily overlooked but widespread.

Year-round

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

Tufted Duck

Aythya fuligulaLC

An uncommon but widespread resident on freshwater lakes and gravel pits across the county. Numbers increase in winter with birds from the continent.

Year-round

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

Water Rail

Rallus aquaticusLC

A secretive resident of Suffolk's reedbeds and marshes, more often heard giving its pig-like squeal than seen.

Year-round

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

Wheatear

Oenanthe oenantheLC

An uncommon breeder found on Suffolk's coastal shingle and open grassland from March to October. Often bobs and flits low to the ground.

Mar–Oct

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

Whimbrel

Numenius phaeopusLC

An uncommon summer visitor, passing through coastal marshes and estuaries from April to September. Its distinctive rippling call carries across mudflats.

Apr–Sep

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

Whinchat

Saxicola rubetraLC

An uncommon passage migrant seen in spring and autumn on Suffolk's coastal scrub and marshes. Does not breed locally.

May–Oct

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

Whooper Swan

Cygnus cygnusLC

An uncommon winter visitor, arriving from Iceland and Scandinavia from October. Small herds favour the Ouse and Stour Washes and coastal grazing marshes.

Oct–Mar

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

Willow Warbler

Phylloscopus trochilusLC

An uncommon breeding summer visitor, favouring scrubby woodland edges and heathland. Has declined notably in lowland Suffolk.

Apr–Oct

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

Woodlark

Lullula arboreaLC

An uncommon resident of Suffolk's Breckland and Sandlings heaths. Its melodious song can be heard from early spring over open sandy ground.

Jan–Nov

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

Yellow Wagtail

Motacilla flavaLC

An uncommon summer breeder on Suffolk's damp meadows and arable fields from April to September. Numbers have declined significantly in recent decades.

Apr–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Yellow-browed Warbler

Yellow-browed Warbler

Phylloscopus inornatusLC

An uncommon autumn passage migrant in October, found in coastal scrub and woodland edges. A Siberian waif eagerly sought by birders.

Oct

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

Yellowhammer

Emberiza citrinellaLC

An uncommon but year-round resident of Suffolk's arable farmland and hedgerows. Its bright yellow head and jangling song are distinctive.

Year-round

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