Uncommon Birds in North Yorkshire
82 species matching this filter.
North Yorkshire's diverse landscapes — from the rugged moorlands of the Dales and North York Moors to its sweeping coastline and river valleys — support an impressive array of uncommon bird species. With 82 species classified as uncommon in the county, birders can encounter everything from the ghostly Barn Owl hunting over farmland at dusk to Arctic Jaegers passing along the coast and Greenshanks probing the margins of upland pools. These less frequently seen species reward patient observers who explore the region's varied wetlands, woodlands, and estuaries throughout the year.
Showing 47–69 of 82 species
Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorusLC
Resident in parkland, orchards and open woodland, often singing boldly from treetops even in midwinter. Forms post-breeding flocks in autumn.
Year-round
Northern Gannet
Morus bassanusLC
Uncommon but seen year-round offshore, often visible from Flamborough Head. Spectacular plunge-diving can be watched from coastal vantage points.
Year-round
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
An uncommon resident of shallow lakes and flooded fields. Numbers increase in winter as continental birds arrive.
Year-round
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinusLC
An uncommon year-round resident nesting on coastal cliffs and inland crags, sometimes hunting over towns and estuaries in winter.
Year-round
Pink-footed Goose
Anser brachyrhynchusLC
Winters in large skeins over the Vale of York, arriving from Iceland in autumn. Absent during summer breeding months.
Sep–May
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
Present year-round but declining nationally. Favours large lakes and reservoirs, with numbers boosted by winter visitors.
Year-round
Purple Sandpiper
Calidris maritimaLC
Frequents rocky shores and harbour walls along the coast, especially at Scarborough and Filey, mainly outside the brief breeding season.
Jul–May
Razorbill
Alca tordaLC
Breeds on the dramatic cliffs at Flamborough and Bempton, with large numbers present in spring and summer before dispersing offshore.
Year-round
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Red Grouse
Lagopus lagopus scoticaLC
An iconic resident of the North York Moors and Dales heather moorland. Present all year, with numbers managed for grouse shooting.
Year-round
Red Kite
Milvus milvusLC
Now resident year-round following successful reintroduction at Harewood, increasingly seen soaring over the Dales and Vale of York.
Year-round
Red Knot
Calidris canutusNT
Uncommon but present year-round, gathering in flocks on the Tees estuary mudflats. Numbers peak in winter with arrivals from Arctic breeding grounds.
Year-round
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serratorLC
An uncommon resident favouring coastal waters and estuaries. Also breeds along upland rivers in the Dales and North York Moors.
Sep–Jul
Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufaNT
An uncommon resident of arable farmland in the Vale of York and lower dales, often seen in small coveys along field margins.
Year-round
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellataLC
Present year-round, most often seen offshore in winter. Breeds on remote moorland pools and moves to coastal waters outside the season.
Year-round
Redshank
Tringa totanusLC
An uncommon year-round resident of coastal marshes and upland wet pastures, its piping alarm call a familiar sound on the region's estuaries.
Year-round
Redwing
Turdus iliacusNT
An uncommon winter visitor from Scandinavia, joining thrush flocks in hedgerows and berry-laden fields from October to April.
Sep–Apr
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
Present year-round on sandy and shingle beaches along the coast. Breeds on the shore in summer and joins estuarine flocks in winter.
Year-round
Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosusLC
An uncommon resident found along the rocky coastline from Whitby to Scarborough, foraging among seaweed-strewn boulders year-round.
Year-round
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpresLC
Found year-round on rocky shorelines and harbours along the coast. Flips stones and seaweed to find invertebrates hidden beneath.
Year-round
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
An uncommon summer visitor, nesting colonially in sandy riverbanks along the Ouse, Swale and other Yorkshire rivers.
Mar–Sep
Sanderling
Calidris albaLC
Uncommon but present all year, racing along sandy beaches at Filey and Scarborough. Most conspicuous during spring and autumn passage.
Year-round
Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensisLC
An uncommon summer breeder, nesting at coastal colonies and fishing offshore. Present from April to October along the coast.
Apr–Oct
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
An uncommon breeding visitor arriving in April, singing from reedbeds and waterside scrub at lowland wetland sites.
Apr–Sep