Rare Birds in United Kingdom
47 species matching this filter.
The United Kingdom is home to a fascinating array of rare bird species, with 47 classified as uncommon visitors or localised breeders across its diverse landscapes. From the elusive Bluethroat and striking Golden Oriole to the hardy Lapland Longspur and graceful Arctic Loon, these rarities can be found in habitats ranging from remote Scottish highlands and coastal cliffs to windswept moorlands and offshore islands. Spotting these scarce species requires patience, careful timing, and often a willingness to venture to the more wild and inaccessible corners of Britain.
Showing 24–46 of 47 species
Little Auk
Alle alleLC
A rare winter visitor from Arctic seas, occasionally driven ashore in large numbers by autumn gales. Most sightings occur along North Sea coasts.
Oct–Jan
Long-tailed Jaeger
Stercorarius longicaudusLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally seen from headlands and pelagic trips between August and October. The most graceful and slender skua.
Aug–Oct
Montagu's Harrier
Circus pygargusLC
A rare summer visitor and passage migrant, with very few breeding pairs remaining in southern England. Favours open arable farmland and marshes.
May–Aug
Muscovy Duck
Cairina moschataLC
A rare feral resident found on park lakes and farmyards, originating from escaped or released captive birds. Not established as a wild species.
Year-round
Northern Goshawk
Accipiter gentilisLC
A rare but increasing resident of mature forests and plantations. Secretive and elusive, most often encountered in large woodlands across Wales and northern England.
Year-round
Pectoral Sandpiper
Calidris melanotosLC
A rare but annual Nearctic passage migrant, most frequently found at freshwater pools and coastal scrapes in autumn, particularly in south-west England and Ireland.
May–Oct
Pomarine Jaeger
Stercorarius pomarinusLC
A rare but regular passage seabird, best seen from headlands during autumn seawatches, especially in strong onshore winds.
Apr–Nov
Purple Heron
Ardea purpureaLC
A rare spring and autumn visitor, mainly to southern English wetlands. Slimmer and darker than Grey Heron, it favours dense reedbeds.
Apr–Oct
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Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A resident of mature conifer plantations, with numbers boosted by periodic irruptions from the continent. Its crossed bill is perfectly adapted for extracting pine seeds.
Year-round
Red-backed Shrike
Lanius collurioLC
Once a regular breeder, now a rare visitor mostly seen on passage along the east and south coasts. A striking but declining species across Europe.
May–Oct
Red-breasted Goose
Branta ruficollisVU
A rare passage visitor, occasionally wintering among flocks of Brent or Barnacle Geese on eastern coasts. Most records fall between November and spring.
Nov–May
Red-flanked Bluetail
Tarsiger cyanurusLC
A rare vagrant from Asia, mostly recorded on the Northern Isles and east coast in autumn. A prized find among birders during October falls.
Sep–Jan
Red-necked Phalarope
Phalaropus lobatusLC
A rare passage migrant with a tiny breeding population in northern Scotland. Most sightings occur at coastal pools and marshes during autumn migration.
May–Oct
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensisLC
A rare Nearctic winter visitor, most regularly found in Ireland and south-west England among flocks of Common and Black-headed Gulls.
Dec–Apr
Rough-legged Hawk
Buteo lagopusLC
A rare winter visitor, mainly to eastern England's coastal marshes and farmland. Often hovers while hunting, unlike the resident Common Buzzard.
Oct–Feb
Savi's Warbler
Locustella luscinioidesLC
A rare passage visitor to extensive reedbeds in May and June. Its reeling song resembles a distant insect buzz.
May–Jun
Snow Goose
Anser caerulescensLC
A rare visitor, with genuine wild birds occasionally arriving with Pink-footed Goose flocks. Many UK sightings involve feral or escaped individuals.
Aug–May
Spotted Crake
Porzana porzanaLC
A rare and secretive passage migrant through marshes and reedbeds, mainly in autumn. Occasionally breeds in small numbers at wetland sites.
Apr–Oct
Temminck's Stint
Calidris temminckiiLC
A rare passage migrant, most often seen at freshwater margins in spring and autumn. The majority of UK records come from eastern England.
May–Dec
Tundra Bean Goose
Anser serrirostrisLC
A rare winter visitor, with small flocks favouring arable fields and marshes mainly in eastern England and Scotland. The Yare Valley in Norfolk is a key site.
Jul–Mar
Velvet Scoter
Melanitta fuscaVU
A rare sea duck present year-round in small numbers, mainly off the coasts of Scotland and north-east England. Often found among flocks of Common Scoter.
Year-round
Water Pipit
Anthus spinolettaLC
A rare winter visitor found at watercress beds, reservoirs, and wet meadows, mainly in southern England.
Oct–Apr
Woodchat Shrike
Lanius senatorNT
A rare passage migrant from southern Europe, occasionally appearing on the south and east coasts in spring and early autumn.
Apr–Sep