Birds in North Yorkshire
Explore 218 species found in this region.
North Yorkshire is one of England's largest and most diverse counties for birdwatching, with 217 recorded species across its sweeping moorlands, rugged coastline, river valleys, and expansive wetlands. From the upland heaths of the North York Moors, where Hen Harriers and European Honey-buzzards breed, to the coastal reserves and lowland lakes that attract wintering Goldeneye and Great White Egrets, the county offers exceptional birding year-round. Scarcer visitors such as Cetti's Warbler and Long-tailed Jaeger add further excitement for keen observers.
Visiting in April? Look out for Barn Swallow and Black Grouse arriving this month, and Eurasian Woodcock and Greater Scaup depart for the season.
Showing 208–218 of 218 species
Willow Tit
Poecile montanusLC
A rare and declining resident of damp woodland with standing deadwood; North Yorkshire holds some of England's last strongholds.
Aug–Jun
Willow Warbler
Phylloscopus trochilusLC
A common summer breeder of moorland edges, scrubby hillsides and open woodland, arriving from Africa in April.
Apr–Oct
Wood Sandpiper
Tringa glareolaLC
A rare passage wader seen briefly at freshwater pools and marshes, mainly in May and again in July–August on return migration.
May–Aug
Wood Warbler
Phylloscopus sibilatrixLC
A rare passage migrant in May, occasionally noted in mature oak woodland. Once bred more widely but has declined sharply in northern England.
May
Woodlark
Lullula arboreaLC
A rare passage migrant in spring, occasionally recorded on coastal headlands and open ground. Does not breed in the region.
Feb–May
Woodpigeon
Columba palumbusLC
A common resident seen in farmland, woodlands, parks, and gardens throughout the county all year round.
Year-round
Wryneck
Jynx torquillaLC
A rare autumn migrant, mainly recorded along the coast in September. Feeds unobtrusively on ants in low scrub and dune edges.
Sep
Yellow Wagtail
Motacilla flavaLC
An uncommon summer breeder favouring lowland wet meadows and arable fields. Arrives in April and departs by September.
Apr–Sep
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Yellow-browed Warbler
Phylloscopus inornatusLC
An uncommon autumn passage migrant from Siberia, turning up in coastal scrub and hedgerows during September and October.
Sep–Oct
Yellow-legged Gull
Larus michahellisLC
A rare passage visitor in late summer, occasionally noted among large gull flocks at the coast or reservoirs in August and September.
Aug–Sep
Yellowhammer
Emberiza citrinellaLC
An uncommon resident of hedgerows and arable farmland, declining nationally. Its bright yellow head and jangling song enliven field margins year-round.
Year-round