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 116–138 of 218 species
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscusLC
An uncommon year-round resident, often seen at reservoirs, tips, and farmland. Smaller and darker-backed than the Herring Gull.
Year-round
Lesser Whitethroat
Curruca currucaLC
A rare summer breeder favouring tall hedgerows and scrubby thickets, identified by its distinctive rattling song.
Apr–Oct
Lesser Yellowlegs
Tringa flavipesVU
A rare Nearctic vagrant occasionally recorded in May. Any sighting at coastal pools or wetlands is a notable event for the county.
May
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
A common resident of gorse-covered moorland edges, farmland and rough ground. Forms sociable flocks outside the breeding season across open countryside.
Year-round
Little Auk
Alle alleLC
A rare late-autumn passage visitor, sometimes driven close inshore by North Sea gales. Occasionally wrecked on beaches after severe storms.
Oct–Dec
Little Egret
Egretta garzettaLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, favouring estuaries, rivers, and wetlands. A relatively recent coloniser of North Yorkshire.
Year-round
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollisLC
A shy, uncommon resident on ponds, lakes, and slow rivers. Its distinctive whinnying trill often reveals its presence before it is seen.
Year-round
Little Gull
Hydrocoloeus minutusLC
A rare and dainty gull, occasionally seen offshore or at coastal pools, most likely during autumn passage and winter storms.
Jun–Feb
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Little Owl
Athene noctuaLC
A rare but resident owl of lowland farmland, often perching on fence posts and dry-stone walls in the Dales.
Jan–Nov
Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubiusLC
An uncommon summer breeder favouring gravel pits, reservoir margins and river shingle, present from March to September.
Mar–Sep
Little Stint
Calidris minutaLC
A rare autumn passage migrant in August and September, pausing at coastal pools and mudflats. Tiny and active, often feeding among dunlin flocks.
Aug–Sep
Little Tern
Sternula albifronsLC
Scarce summer breeder on shingle beaches along the coast, present from May to August. A Schedule 1 protected species vulnerable to disturbance.
May–Aug
Long-eared Owl
Asio otusLC
A secretive owl rarely detected on autumn passage, most likely along the coast in October. Roosts in dense scrub and thickets.
Oct
Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalisVU
A rare winter visitor to coastal waters and occasionally inland reservoirs. Present from October to March in small numbers.
Oct–Mar
Long-tailed Jaeger
Stercorarius longicaudusLC
A rare seabird seen during autumn seawatches off headlands like Flamborough and Filey Brigg, typically in August and September.
Aug–Sep
Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatusLC
Common year-round in hedgerows and woodland, often seen in lively, acrobatic flocks bouncing along branches. Visits garden feeders in winter.
Year-round
Magpie
Pica picaLC
A common and conspicuous resident of gardens, hedgerows, and farmland, seen throughout the region in all seasons.
Year-round
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
A common and familiar resident on virtually any body of water, from village ponds and park lakes to moorland reservoirs.
Year-round
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
A rare but established resident of wooded rivers and lakes. Males are strikingly ornate, often seen around mature parkland.
Nov–Sep
Manx Shearwater
Puffinus puffinusLC
An uncommon breeder seen offshore from May to October. Best spotted during seawatches from headlands like Flamborough and Filey Brigg.
May–Oct
Marsh Tit
Poecile palustrisLC
An uncommon resident of mature deciduous woodland, declining nationally but still found in parts of the Dales and Howardian Hills.
Year-round
Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensisLC
A common resident of the moorlands and upland pastures, its thin piping call is the soundtrack of the Dales and North York Moors.
Year-round
Merlin
Falco columbariusLC
Breeds on remote moorland in the Dales and North York Moors, moving to lower ground and the coast in winter. A dashing, low-flying falcon.
Jul–Apr