Common Birds in Durham
29 species matching this filter.
Durham is a diverse county for birdwatching, with habitats ranging from the North Pennine moorlands in the west to the North Sea coastline in the east, supporting a rich variety of common species. Among the 29 commonly seen birds are familiar favourites such as Blackbird, Chaffinch, and European Goldfinch, alongside aerial specialists like Barn Swallow and Common Swift. Many of these species also feature in our guide to 23 Common Garden Birds in the UK (Full Guide with Pictures), making Durham's gardens and parks excellent places to start birdwatching.
Showing 1–23 of 29 species
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A common summer breeder from April to October, nesting in farm buildings and barns across rural Durham.
Apr–Oct
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
One of Durham's most familiar garden birds, resident year-round. Continental migrants bolster numbers in autumn and winter.
Year-round
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
An abundant and familiar garden resident year-round, also thriving in woodland, hedgerows, and parks across the county.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
A common and adaptable resident found across all habitats from urban centres to upland pastures throughout the year.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common and familiar resident of Durham's woodlands, hedgerows, and gardens, with a bold, ringing song heard year-round.
Year-round
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
A year-round resident found in woodlands and gardens across Durham. Its repetitive 'chiff-chaff' song is one of the earliest signs of spring.
Year-round
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
Common year-round in coniferous and mixed woodland, readily visiting garden feeders. Often hoards seeds for winter.
Year-round
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
A common resident found across farmland, woodland edges and hedgerows throughout the county, largely sustained by annual releases.
Year-round
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Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
A common resident seen in towns, farmland and gardens throughout the year. Winter roosts can form spectacular murmurations over Durham's urban areas.
Year-round
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
A common summer breeder screaming over Durham's towns and villages from May to August, nesting under eaves of older buildings.
May–Sep
Curlew
Numenius arquataNT
A common resident breeding on Durham's upland moors and rough pastures. Its evocative bubbling call is a defining sound of the county's moorlands.
Year-round
Dunnock
Prunella modularisLC
A common resident throughout Durham, found in gardens, hedgerows, and woodland undergrowth year-round. Often heard before seen.
Year-round
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegusNT
A common resident breeding on shingle beaches, river gravels and farmland. Noisy and conspicuous along the Durham coast and rivers.
Year-round
Eurasian Wren
Troglodytes troglodytesLC
One of Durham's most abundant residents, found in almost every habitat from gardens to moorland edges. Its powerful song belies its tiny size.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A common and increasing resident, flocking on teasel and thistle heads across Durham's gardens and waste ground year-round.
Year-round
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
A common resident found year-round along the coast, at tips, and in urban areas. Noisy and conspicuous across Durham's towns.
Year-round
European Robin
Erithacus rubeculaLC
A beloved year-round resident of gardens, woodland and hedgerows. One of the most confiding birds in Durham, often singing through winter.
Year-round
Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carboLC
A common year-round resident found along rivers, reservoirs, and the coast. Often seen perched with wings outstretched to dry.
Year-round
Great Tit
Parus majorLC
Common resident in gardens, woodland, and parkland throughout the year. Its loud, ringing song is heard from January onwards.
Year-round
House Sparrow
Passer domesticusLC
A common resident closely tied to Durham's towns and villages, nesting under eaves and gathering in noisy colonies.
Year-round
Jackdaw
Corvus monedulaLC
Common and sociable resident, nesting in old buildings, church towers, and tree cavities. Often seen in noisy flocks with rooks.
Year-round
Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatusLC
Resident all year, often seen in noisy family flocks moving through hedgerows and woodland. Regularly visits garden feeders in winter.
Year-round
Magpie
Pica picaLC
A bold and familiar resident, common in gardens, parks, and farmland throughout the county all year round.
Year-round