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 24–46 of 90 species

European Bee-eater

European Bee-eater

Merops apiasterLC

A rare and dazzling spring overshooting migrant, occasionally recorded along the coast in May and June. Famously bred near Bempton in 2002.

May–Jun

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
European Green Woodpecker

European Green Woodpecker

Picus viridisLC

A rare resident, thinly spread in parkland and woodland edges. Its loud laughing call is more often heard than the bird is seen.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
European Honey-buzzard

European Honey-buzzard

Pernis apivorusLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, most likely seen in September at coastal watchpoints such as Spurn and Flamborough.

Sep

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

European Turtle-dove

Streptopelia turturVU

A rare and declining summer visitor, arriving in May. One of Britain's fastest-declining birds, now barely clinging on in parts of the region.

May–Aug

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

Firecrest

Regulus ignicapillaLC

A rare visitor mainly seen during spring and autumn passage at coastal sites. Occasionally lingers through winter in sheltered woodland and scrub.

Sep–May

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

Garden Warbler

Sylvia borinLC

A rare breeding visitor arriving in April, favouring dense scrub and woodland edges. Easily overlooked due to its plain plumage and skulking habits.

Apr–Oct

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

Garganey

Spatula querquedulaLC

A rare summer breeder on shallow wetlands, arriving in April and departing by October. A declining species in the UK.

Apr–Oct

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

Golden Oriole

Oriolus oriolusLC

A rare spring overshooting migrant from the continent, occasionally recorded at coastal sites in May. A prized find for local birders.

May

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

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Grasshopper Warbler

Grasshopper Warbler

Locustella naeviaLC

A rare and secretive breeding visitor, best detected by its insect-like reeling song from dense grassland and scrub in spring.

Apr–Jul

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Great Grey Shrike

Great Grey Shrike

Lanius excubitorLC

A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally seen perching prominently at coastal scrub and hedgerows in October. A scarce but regular vagrant.

Oct

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

Great Skua

Catharacta skuaLC

A rare but powerful seabird seen offshore from spring through winter, often harassing gannets. Best spotted from Flamborough and Spurn.

Apr–Dec

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Great White Egret

Great White Egret

Ardea albaLC

A rare but increasingly recorded resident at wetlands and marshes. Seen in most months, reflecting its recent national expansion.

Jul–May

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

Greater Scaup

Aythya marilaLC

A rare diving duck, mainly seen in winter on the Humber Estuary and coastal waters. Occasionally lingers into spring at favoured sites.

Oct–Jul

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

Grey Partridge

Perdix perdixLC

A declining resident of arable farmland and field margins. Once widespread across the Wolds and lowlands, now increasingly hard to find.

Year-round

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

Grey Phalarope

Phalaropus fulicariusLC

A rare autumn passage visitor, most likely seen after strong westerly gales in October along the Holderness coast or at Spurn Point.

Oct

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

Hawfinch

Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC

A rare passage visitor, occasionally seen at coastal migration points in spring and autumn. Its massive bill makes it unmistakable when found.

Oct–Apr

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

Hen Harrier

Circus cyaneusLC

A rare resident, most often seen in winter hunting over coastal marshes and farmland. Absent during midsummer months.

Sep–May

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

Hooded Crow

Corvus cornixLC

A rare spring passage visitor, occasionally recorded in April. The East Riding sits well south of the usual hybridisation zone with Carrion Crow.

Apr

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

Horned Grebe

Podiceps auritusVU

A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally seen in October on coastal waters and sheltered bays along the Holderness coast.

Oct

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

Horned Lark

Eremophila alpestrisLC

A rare winter visitor, occasionally found on stubble fields and coastal saltmarshes around Spurn and the Humber in autumn and winter.

Oct–Feb

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

Jack Snipe

Lymnocryptes minimusLC

A rare and secretive winter visitor to marshy areas, arriving from September. Easily overlooked, it tends to flush only at very close range.

Sep–Feb

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

Lapland Longspur

Calcarius lapponicusLC

A rare winter visitor and passage migrant, favouring stubble fields and coastal margins. Spurn and the Holderness coast are key sites.

Sep–Mar

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

Little Auk

Alle alleLC

A rare late-autumn and winter visitor, sometimes driven close inshore or even inland by North Sea gales. Most records from October to December.

Oct–Dec

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