Rare Birds in East Riding of Yorkshire

90 species matching this filter.

All birds in East Riding of Yorkshire

The East Riding of Yorkshire hosts an impressive array of rare bird species, with 90 uncommon visitors and residents recorded across its diverse landscapes. From the dramatic chalk cliffs of Flamborough Head to the expansive wetlands of the Humber Estuary, the region attracts scarce species such as Bluethroat, Great Grey Shrike, and Common Crane. Coastal headlands, mudflats, and sheltered estuarine habitats make this county a magnet for vagrant and passage birds that delight dedicated birdwatchers.

Firecrest
FirecrestSmallest · 9cm
to
Tundra Swan
Tundra SwanLargest · 150cm
Ranges from the Firecrest (9cm) to the Tundra Swan (150cm)40 families represented25 year-round residents

Showing 1–23 of 90 species

Aquatic Warbler

Aquatic Warbler

Acrocephalus paludicolaVU

An extremely rare passage migrant, with occasional June records likely involving overshooting spring migrants at coastal wetland sites.

Jun

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

Arctic Loon

Gavia arcticaLC

A rare passage visitor in late autumn, occasionally spotted offshore at seawatching sites such as Flamborough and Spurn.

Nov–Dec

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

Barnacle Goose

Branta leucopsisLC

A rare resident, with feral birds present year-round and occasional wild Arctic migrants in winter.

Aug–Jun

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

Bearded Tit

Panurus biarmicusLC

A rare but resident species, favouring extensive reedbeds at sites like Blacktoft Sands where its distinctive pinging call carries far.

Mar–Jan

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

Black Redstart

Phoenicurus ochrurosLC

A rare but regular visitor, favouring coastal cliffs and urban structures. Recorded from spring through to late autumn at sites like Flamborough.

Mar–Nov

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

Black Swan

Cygnus atratusLC

A rare non-native vagrant, with occasional sightings likely involving escapees from wildfowl collections.

Oct–Jan

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

Black Tern

Chlidonias nigerLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally seen at Hornsea Mere and coastal pools in August and September.

Aug–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Black-crowned Night-heron

Black-crowned Night-heron

Nycticorax nycticoraxLC

A very rare passage visitor, with occasional August records. One of the region's most sought-after vagrant herons.

Aug

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

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Bluethroat

Bluethroat

Luscinia svecicaLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally recorded in September at coastal migration sites such as Spurn Point and Flamborough Head.

Sep

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

Bohemian Waxwing

Bombycilla garrulusLC

An irruptive winter visitor, arriving in variable numbers from late autumn. Flocks descend on berry-laden trees in towns and hedgerows.

Oct–Dec

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

Cattle Egret

Bubulcus ibisLC

A rare summer visitor, part of a recent northward range expansion. Occasionally seen near livestock in lowland pastures during June and July.

Jun–Jul

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

Common Crane

Grus grusLC

A rare passage visitor in spring and autumn, occasionally seen flying over wetlands or farmland. Sightings are increasing as the UK population slowly grows.

Apr–Sep

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

Common Kingfisher

Alcedo atthisLC

A scarce resident along the region's rivers and drainage channels. Most often glimpsed as a flash of electric blue darting low over the water.

Year-round

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

Common Loon

Gavia immerLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to coastal waters, most likely in winter months. Occasionally lingers into spring off the Holderness coast.

Oct–May

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

Common Merganser

Mergus merganserLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to rivers and lakes, mainly from October to April. Less frequent here than in upland regions further west.

Oct–Apr

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

Common Raven

Corvus coraxLC

A rare passage visitor in spring, slowly recolonising Yorkshire. Occasionally seen soaring over the Wolds, reflecting a gradual national recovery.

Feb–May

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

Common Rosefinch

Carpodacus erythrinusLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, most likely encountered at Spurn Point in September. An exciting find for any East Riding birder.

Sep

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

Dotterel

Eudromias morinellusLC

A rare passage migrant, occasionally stopping on arable fields in May and September. Remarkably tame, these 'trip' birds are eagerly sought.

May–Sep

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

Egyptian Goose

Alopochen aegyptiacaLC

A rare but increasing feral resident, found year-round on lakes and gravel pits across the region.

Year-round

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

Eider

Somateria mollissimaNT

A rare resident along the coast, most reliably seen off Flamborough Head and Bridlington. Small numbers are present year-round on nearshore waters.

Year-round

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

Eurasian Bittern

Botaurus stellarisLC

A rare and secretive resident of extensive reedbeds. Most likely encountered at reserves like Tophill Low, with booming males in spring.

Apr–Jan

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

Eurasian Jay

Garrulus glandariusLC

A rare resident, largely confined to mature woodland on the western Wolds. The East Riding lies at the edge of its range in Yorkshire.

Year-round

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

Eurasian Nuthatch

Sitta europaeaLC

A rare passage visitor, occasionally noted in April. The East Riding lies at the edge of its range, with mature woodland scarce in the area.

Apr

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