Rare Birds in East Riding of Yorkshire

93 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)41 families represented25 year-round residents

Showing 70–92 of 93 species

Ruddy Duck

Ruddy Duck

Oxyura jamaicensisLC

A rare visitor, now extremely scarce following the national eradication programme. Occasional sightings still occur on inland waterbodies.

Jan–May

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

Ruddy Shelduck

Tadorna ferrugineaLC

A rare and striking vagrant, with July records possibly involving wild birds or escapees from collections.

Jul

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

Smew

Mergellus albellusLC

A rare and prized winter visitor, occasionally appearing on inland lakes during cold spells. Most records fall between December and March.

Dec–Mar

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

Snow Goose

Anser caerulescensLC

A rare visitor in late autumn and winter, sometimes associating with Pink-footed Goose flocks on farmland.

Nov–Dec

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

Song Sparrow

Melospiza melodiaLC

An exceptionally rare Nearctic vagrant. Any East Riding record represents a remarkable transatlantic crossing to the Yorkshire coast.

Jun

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

Sooty Shearwater

Ardenna griseaNT

Scarce seabird seen from headlands like Flamborough and Spurn during autumn seawatches, mainly August to November.

Aug–Nov

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

Spotted Crake

Porzana porzanaLC

A rare and secretive passage migrant through marshes and reedbeds in August, extremely difficult to observe in the region.

Aug

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

Spotted Redshank

Tringa erythropusLC

A rare visitor from spring through autumn, occasionally lingering into November at estuarine pools and coastal scrapes on the Humber.

Apr–Nov

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

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Subalpine Warbler

Subalpine Warbler

Curruca cantillansLC

A rare spring vagrant, occasionally recorded in May at coastal migration hotspots such as Spurn Point and Flamborough Head.

May

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

Tawny Owl

Strix alucoLC

A rare and nocturnal resident of mature woodland, more often heard hooting at night than seen in the East Riding.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Temminck's Stint

Temminck's Stint

Calidris temminckiiLC

A rare spring passage migrant, briefly appearing in May at freshwater pools and muddy scrape edges before continuing north.

May

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

Tree Pipit

Anthus trivialisLC

A rare visitor, mainly noted on passage in spring and autumn at wooded coastal sites. Has declined significantly as a breeding species.

Apr–Oct

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

Treecreeper

Certhia familiarisLC

A rare but year-round resident, creeping up tree trunks in mature woodland. Easily overlooked due to its quiet habits and cryptic plumage.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Tundra Bean Goose

Tundra Bean Goose

Anser serrirostrisLC

A rare winter visitor occasionally found among other goose flocks on arable fields in January and February.

Jan–Feb

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

Tundra Swan

Cygnus columbianusLC

A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded on wetlands and flooded fields during spring migration in March.

Mar

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

Twite

Linaria flavirostrisLC

A rare passage and winter visitor, occasionally found on coastal saltmarshes and stubble fields from late autumn into early spring.

Oct–Mar

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

Velvet Scoter

Melanitta fuscaVU

A rare winter visitor to coastal waters, typically seen from October. Best looked for among Common Scoter flocks off the Holderness coast.

Oct–Jan

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

Water Pipit

Anthus spinolettaLC

A rare late autumn passage visitor, occasionally found at coastal wetlands and watercress beds. Easily overlooked among Rock Pipits.

Nov

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
White-rumped Sandpiper

White-rumped Sandpiper

Calidris fuscicollisVU

A rare Nearctic wader occasionally found on coastal mudflats and pools from July to September during autumn passage.

Jul–Sep

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

Willow Tit

Poecile montanusLC

A scarce and declining resident, found in damp woodland with dead birch and willow where it excavates its own nest holes.

Nov–Aug

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

Wood Sandpiper

Tringa glareolaLC

A rare visitor from May to September, favouring freshwater marshes and flooded scrapes at sites like Tophill Low and the Humber wetlands.

May–Sep

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

Wood Warbler

Phylloscopus sibilatrixLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally recorded at Spurn and Flamborough. Does not breed in the East Riding.

Sep

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

Wryneck

Jynx torquillaLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, mainly recorded at coastal sites like Spurn in August and September. A drift migrant from Scandinavia.

Aug–Sep

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