Rare Birds in North Yorkshire
91 species matching this filter.
North Yorkshire's diverse landscapes — from the rugged moorlands of the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales to its dramatic coastline and sheltered river valleys — provide habitat for an impressive array of rare bird species. With 91 species classified as rare in the county, patient observers may encounter elusive residents such as Black Grouse on upland heath edges, Little Owl in lowland farmland, and European Green Woodpecker in mature deciduous woodlands. Coastal areas and passage periods also bring scarce visitors including Arctic Loon, Great Skua, Iceland Gull, and Little Stint, making North Yorkshire a rewarding destination for birders seeking something out of the ordinary.
Showing 1–23 of 91 species
Arctic Loon
Gavia arcticaLC
A rare winter visitor to coastal waters, occasionally seen off Filey and Scarborough between October and February.
Oct–Feb
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
A rare breeder, nesting at a few coastal colonies. Also seen on passage off Flamborough and Filey from May to October.
May–Oct
Atlantic Puffin
Fratercula arcticaVU
A rare but charismatic resident, best seen at Bempton Cliffs and Flamborough Head during the spring and summer breeding season.
Mar–Dec
Avocet
Recurvirostra avosettaLC
A rare breeder from March to July at select coastal and wetland sites. This elegant wader has expanded its range northward in recent decades.
Mar–Jul
Balearic Shearwater
Puffinus mauretanicusCR
A critically endangered seabird, rarely spotted off the North Yorkshire coast during September passage. A prized sighting for sea-watchers.
Sep
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
Present year-round but rare, with a mix of feral birds and genuine wild vagrants. Found on grassland and wetland margins.
Year-round
Black Grouse
Lyrurus tetrixLC
A rare passage visitor in April, occasionally noted on moorland fringes. Once more widespread, now largely confined to the northern Pennine edges.
Apr
Black Redstart
Phoenicurus ochrurosLC
A rare non-breeding visitor, occasionally seen on coastal cliffs and industrial buildings. Most likely encountered during autumn passage and winter months.
Oct–Apr
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Black Swan
Cygnus atratusLC
A rare and exotic sight, likely originating from ornamental collections. Occasionally turns up on lakes and rivers across the region.
Nov–Sep
Black Tern
Chlidonias nigerLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally appearing at inland reservoirs and coastal pools in August–September, dipping elegantly for insects.
Aug–Sep
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosaNT
A rare resident, mainly seen at wetland sites from winter through autumn. Passage birds and Icelandic wintering flocks boost numbers.
Jan–Oct
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulusLC
An irruptive winter visitor from Scandinavia, appearing in some years in November and December. Flocks descend on berry-laden trees in towns and gardens.
Nov–Dec
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A scarce winter visitor from Scandinavia, sometimes joining chaffinch flocks at woodland edges and beneath beech trees.
Sep–Apr
Brent Goose
Branta berniclaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to the coast and estuaries, mainly seen from September to February. Prefers tidal mudflats.
Sep–Feb
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
A rare but expanding resident of dense reedbed and waterside scrub, a relatively recent colonist of North Yorkshire wetlands.
Year-round
Common Quail
Coturnix coturnixLC
A rare and secretive passage visitor in July, more often heard than seen calling from arable fields and grasslands in warm summers.
Jul
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
A rare but increasing resident, favouring upland crags and moorland edges in the Dales and North York Moors.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
A rare resident found in birch woodland and upland scrub. Numbers fluctuate with irruptive movements from the Continent in some winters.
Sep–Jul
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
A scarce summer breeder in mature oak woodland of the Dales and North York Moors, arriving in April. Males are strikingly colourful.
Apr–Oct
Corn Bunting
Emberiza calandraLC
A rare and declining resident of open arable farmland, mainly in the eastern lowlands. Its jangling song from fence posts is increasingly scarce.
Oct–Jul
Curlew Sandpiper
Calidris ferrugineaNT
A rare autumn passage migrant in August–September, typically found picking through mud at coastal pools and reservoir margins.
Aug–Sep
Dipper
Cinclus cinclusLC
A charismatic resident of fast-flowing rivers and becks in the Dales and North York Moors, bobbing on rocks year-round.
Year-round
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacaLC
A rare and sporadic resident, part of a slowly expanding feral population. Seen occasionally on lakes and grassy margins.
Sep–Jun