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 24–46 of 218 species
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
Abundant year-round on lakes, rivers and gravel pits. A familiar and often bold presence in parks and urban waterways.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
Abundant and widespread year-round across farmland, towns and moorland fringes. One of the most familiar birds in the county.
Year-round
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
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
One of the region's most familiar residents, found in woodland, hedgerows and gardens year-round. Its cheerful song is a hallmark of spring.
Year-round
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
A common resident heard year-round in woodland and scrub, with numbers boosted by continental migrants in autumn.
Year-round
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
Resident in coniferous and mixed woodland throughout the year, readily visiting garden feeders in winter. Often joins roving tit flocks.
Year-round
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
A common year-round resident found on farmland, reservoirs, and the coast. Often nests on moorland edges in the Dales and North York Moors.
Year-round
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
An uncommon resident along clean rivers and streams, often glimpsed as a flash of electric blue over the water.
Year-round
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Common Loon
Gavia immerLC
An uncommon visitor to coastal waters, mainly from October to May. Often seen singly, diving in sheltered bays along the Yorkshire coast.
Oct–May
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
Resident on upland rivers and reservoirs throughout the Dales and moorland valleys. Often seen in small parties fishing along fast-flowing streams.
Year-round
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
Abundant year-round across farmland, moorland edges and estates, largely sustained by releases for shooting on the region's grouse moors and lowland shoots.
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
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
An uncommon summer breeder found in reedbeds from April to September, at the northern edge of its main English range.
Apr–Sep
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
A summer breeder along upland rivers and reservoir edges from April to September. Bobs constantly on waterside rocks in characteristic fashion.
Apr–Sep
Common Scoter
Melanitta nigraLC
Uncommon but present year-round offshore. Dark flocks can be spotted from coastal headlands, often flying low over the waves.
Year-round
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
Found year-round on estuaries, coastal mudflats and inland wetlands. Breeds in rabbit burrows and other cavities near water.
Year-round
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
An uncommon resident of moorland bogs and damp meadows, performing its distinctive 'drumming' display flight over the Dales and North York Moors in spring.
Year-round
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
Common and widespread year-round, with spectacular winter murmurations at roost sites. Numbers have declined nationally but remain strong in North Yorkshire.
Year-round
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
A common summer visitor screaming over towns and villages from April to September. Nests in older buildings and feeds entirely on the wing.
Apr–Sep
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
An uncommon summer breeder, nesting at gravel pits and reservoirs from April. Often seen plunge-diving along the coast on passage.
Apr–Oct