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 162–184 of 218 species
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-necked Grebe
Podiceps grisegenaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor, mainly seen on the coast in autumn and winter. Check sheltered bays and harbours carefully.
Sep–Mar
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
Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclusLC
A common resident of reedbeds, marshes and damp scrub across the region. Males show a distinctive black head in breeding plumage from spring.
Year-round
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatusLC
A rare passage visitor in spring and autumn, pausing on moorland edges and coastal headlands during migration.
Apr–Oct
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
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Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
A common year-round resident in towns, cities, and along coastal cliffs. Feral populations thrive alongside truly wild cliff-nesting birds.
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
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
A common resident forming noisy rookeries in tall trees across farmland; large flocks feed in ploughed fields year-round.
Year-round
Roseate Tern
Sterna dougalliiLC
A rare passage visitor along the coast from July to September. One of Britain's scarcest breeding terns, occasionally spotted offshore.
Jul–Sep
Rough-legged Hawk
Buteo lagopusLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded on the coast or open farmland in late winter. Always a prized sighting in the county.
Feb
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensisLC
A rare and declining breeder, present from April to July. Subject to national eradication efforts due to its non-native status.
Apr–Jul
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
Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
A rare visitor to coastal marshes and freshwater pools, mainly on passage. Males in breeding plumage with elaborate ruffs are seldom seen here.
Aug–May
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
Savi's Warbler
Locustella luscinioidesLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded in May at reedbed sites; its reeling song is easily overlooked.
May
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
An uncommon breeding visitor arriving in April, singing from reedbeds and waterside scrub at lowland wetland sites.
Apr–Sep
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeusLC
A rare resident of open moorland, hunting by day with buoyant, wavering flight over the North York Moors and Dales.
Oct–May
Smew
Mergellus albellusLC
A rare and striking winter visitor, occasionally appearing on inland lakes and reservoirs in January and February.
Jan–Feb