Birds in East Riding of Yorkshire
Explore 233 species found in this region.
The East Riding of Yorkshire supports an impressive diversity of birdlife, with around 230 species recorded across its varied landscapes. From the dramatic chalk cliffs of Flamborough Head and Bempton to the expansive wetlands of the Humber Estuary, the region offers habitats that attract everything from breeding seabird colonies to scarce migrants such as Bluethroat and Great Grey Shrike. Wading birds like Northern Lapwing and Dotterel, along with coastal specialists such as Common Shelduck, make this county a rewarding destination for birdwatchers year-round.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Barn Swallow arriving this month, and Bearded Tit and Greater White-fronted Goose depart for the season.
Showing 116–138 of 233 species
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
Horned Grebe
Podiceps auritusVU
A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally seen in October on coastal waters and sheltered bays along the Holderness coast.
Oct
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
House Martin
Delichon urbicumLC
A common breeding visitor nesting under eaves in towns and villages, gathering mud for its distinctive enclosed nests from April.
Apr–Oct
House Sparrow
Passer domesticusLC
A common resident closely associated with farms, villages, and urban areas. Numbers have declined nationally but remain relatively stable here.
Year-round
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
Jackdaw
Coloeus monedulaLC
A common and sociable resident, nesting in church towers, old buildings and tree cavities. Often seen in noisy flocks with Rooks over farmland.
Year-round
Kestrel
Falco tinnunculusLC
A familiar sight hovering over roadside verges and farmland across the region year-round. One of the most commonly seen raptors in the East Riding.
Year-round
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Kittiwake
Rissa tridactylaVU
Breeds in large colonies on the dramatic chalk cliffs at Bempton and Flamborough Head, a spectacular sight from spring through summer.
Year-round
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
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscusLC
Common throughout the year, frequenting farmland, landfill sites, and the Humber Estuary. Peak numbers occur during summer breeding season.
Year-round
Lesser Whitethroat
Curruca currucaLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving from April, favouring tall hedgerows and scrubby thickets across the region's farmland and woodland edges.
Apr–Oct
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
A common resident of farmland, gorse scrub and weedy fields. Flocks gather on stubble and coastal margins outside the breeding season.
Year-round
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
Little Egret
Egretta garzettaLC
Now a common resident at estuarine and wetland sites after a dramatic range expansion. Readily seen at Tophill Low and along the Humber.
Year-round
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollisLC
A shy resident of ponds, lakes, and slow-moving waterways. Often heard before seen, with a distinctive whinnying trill.
Year-round
Little Gull
Hydrocoloeus minutusLC
An uncommon but regular visitor to the Humber Estuary and coastal waters, most often seen on passage from spring through autumn.
Mar–Dec
Little Owl
Athene noctuaLC
A rare but resident owl of farmland and parkland, sometimes seen perched on posts during daylight hours.
Year-round
Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubiusLC
An uncommon summer breeder from March to September, favouring gravel pits and reservoir margins. Distinguished from Ringed Plover by its yellow eye-ring.
Mar–Sep
Little Stint
Calidris minutaLC
A rare visitor from May to October, most often seen in autumn at coastal scrapes and freshwater pools alongside other small waders.
May–Oct
Little Tern
Sternula albifronsLC
A scarce summer breeder on shingle beaches along the Holderness coast. Vulnerable to disturbance and habitat loss from coastal erosion.
Apr–Sep
Long-eared Owl
Asio otusLC
A rare passage visitor in spring and autumn, sometimes found roosting in coastal scrub at migration hotspots like Spurn.
Oct–May
Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalisVU
A rare winter visitor to coastal waters, arriving from October. Occasionally seen from headlands or in sheltered bays along the Holderness coast.
Oct–Jan