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 185–207 of 233 species
Ruddy Shelduck
Tadorna ferrugineaLC
A rare and striking vagrant, with July records possibly involving wild birds or escapees from collections.
Jul
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpresLC
An uncommon resident along rocky shores and harbour walls, particularly at Flamborough Head and Bridlington, flipping stones to find invertebrates.
Year-round
Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
An uncommon year-round visitor to freshwater marshes and wet grasslands, most conspicuous during autumn passage at inland wetland reserves.
Year-round
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
A common summer visitor breeding in colonies along river banks and sand quarries, often seen hawking insects over waterways.
Mar–Oct
Sanderling
Calidris albaLC
An uncommon resident of sandy beaches along the Holderness coast and Spurn, running along the tideline in small flocks year-round.
Year-round
Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensisLC
The commonest breeding tern in the region, nesting at Spurn and along the coast. Noisy flocks plunge-dive offshore from spring to autumn.
Apr–Oct
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
A common summer breeder arriving in April, singing its rapid chattering song from reedbeds and waterside vegetation across the region.
Apr–Sep
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeusLC
Hunts low over the Wolds and coastal marshes year-round. Numbers increase in winter when continental birds arrive at sites like Spurn and Blacktoft Sands.
Year-round
Spotted something?
Upload a photo to identify it
Identify
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
Snow Bunting
Plectrophenax nivalisLC
An uncommon winter visitor to the coast, often seen on shingle beaches and dunes along the Holderness shore from October to March.
Oct–Mar
Snow Goose
Anser caerulescensLC
A rare visitor in late autumn and winter, sometimes associating with Pink-footed Goose flocks on farmland.
Nov–Dec
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodiaLC
An exceptionally rare Nearctic vagrant. Any East Riding record represents a remarkable transatlantic crossing to the Yorkshire coast.
Jun
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelosLC
A common year-round resident of gardens, hedgerows and woodland. One of the earliest songsters, often heard singing from late winter onwards.
Year-round
Sooty Shearwater
Ardenna griseaNT
Scarce seabird seen from headlands like Flamborough and Spurn during autumn seawatches, mainly August to November.
Aug–Nov
Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLC
A common year-round resident, hunting small birds in woodland, hedgerows, and gardens across the region.
Year-round
Spotted Crake
Porzana porzanaLC
A rare and secretive passage migrant through marshes and reedbeds in August, extremely difficult to observe in the region.
Aug
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striataLC
An uncommon and declining summer breeder arriving in May, favouring woodland clearings and mature gardens where it sallies for insects.
May–Oct
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
Stock Dove
Columba oenasLC
A common resident of farmland and parkland, nesting in tree holes across the Wolds and lowlands. Often seen feeding on stubble fields in winter.
Year-round
Stonechat
Saxicola torquatusLC
Present year-round on coastal scrub and gorse-covered clifftops. Numbers bolstered in winter by birds from the continent.
Year-round
Subalpine Warbler
Curruca cantillansLC
A rare spring vagrant, occasionally recorded in May at coastal migration hotspots such as Spurn Point and Flamborough Head.
May
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
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