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 162–184 of 233 species
Razorbill
Alca tordaLC
A year-round resident breeding on the Bempton and Flamborough chalk cliffs, rafting offshore in winter. Numbers have been declining.
Year-round
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare and irruptive resident, appearing in conifer plantations mainly from summer into autumn. Numbers vary greatly between years.
Jun–Nov
Red Kite
Milvus milvusLC
A rare but increasing resident, now seen year-round soaring over farmland and the Yorkshire Wolds.
Year-round
Red Knot
Calidris canutusNT
Present year-round on the Humber Estuary mudflats, with large winter flocks. Numbers peak from autumn through spring.
Year-round
Red-backed Shrike
Lanius collurioLC
A rare visitor, mainly seen at coastal migration points in spring and autumn. Once bred in Britain but now chiefly a scarce passage bird.
May–Oct
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serratorLC
A rare passage visitor from autumn into winter, seen along the coast and occasionally on the Humber. Most records fall between September and December.
Sep–Dec
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufinaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor in winter months. Occasionally appears on larger lakes and reservoirs, with origins sometimes uncertain.
Nov–Feb
Red-flanked Bluetail
Tarsiger cyanurusLC
A rare autumn vagrant from Asia, occasionally found in coastal scrub and gardens from September to November at East Riding headlands.
Sep–Nov
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Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufaNT
An uncommon introduced resident found on arable farmland, particularly on the Yorkshire Wolds. Often seen in small coveys along field edges.
Year-round
Red-necked Grebe
Podiceps grisegenaLC
A rare late-autumn and winter visitor, occasionally recorded offshore or in sheltered bays along the coast in November and December.
Nov–Dec
Red-necked Phalarope
Phalaropus lobatusLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally seen on coastal pools and flooded fields in August and September, often spinning on the water to feed.
Aug–Sep
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellataLC
Uncommon but regular offshore, especially in winter. Often seen flying low over the sea past Flamborough Head and Spurn Point.
Year-round
Redshank
Tringa totanusLC
A common resident found year-round on the Humber Estuary mudflats, coastal marshes, and wet grasslands, with numbers boosted by winter arrivals.
Year-round
Redwing
Turdus iliacusNT
A common winter visitor arriving from Scandinavia in October, feeding on berries in hedgerows across the Wolds and lowland farmland until spring.
Sep–May
Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclusLC
A common resident breeding in reedbeds, ditches and damp scrub. Winter flocks form on farmland and at wetland roost sites.
Year-round
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatusLC
A rare passage visitor in spring and autumn, typically seen on coastal headlands and moorland edges during migration periods.
Apr–Nov
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
A common resident breeding on shingle beaches and estuarine shores. Found year-round along the Holderness coast and Humber estuary.
Year-round
Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
Common in towns and along coastal cliffs. Feral populations thrive in Hull and Bridlington, while wilder birds inhabit the Flamborough chalk cliffs.
Year-round
Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosusLC
An uncommon year-round resident of rocky shorelines and chalk cliffs. Regularly seen along the Flamborough and Bempton coast.
Year-round
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
A common resident of the agricultural lowlands, nesting colonially in tall trees. Large rookeries are a characteristic feature of East Riding villages.
Year-round
Roseate Tern
Sterna dougalliiLC
A rare passage visitor in July and August, occasionally seen among other tern flocks at Spurn Point and along the Holderness coast.
Jul–Aug
Rough-legged Hawk
Buteo lagopusLC
A rare autumn visitor from Scandinavia, occasionally appearing over coastal farmland and marshes in October and November.
Oct–Nov
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensisLC
A rare visitor, now extremely scarce following the national eradication programme. Occasional sightings still occur on inland waterbodies.
Jan–May