Common Birds in Northumberland
45 species matching this filter.
Northumberland is home to 45 commonly sighted bird species, reflecting the county's rich variety of habitats — from the rugged North Sea coastline and estuaries of Lindisfarne to the rolling uplands and river valleys inland. Familiar garden visitors such as the Blackbird, Great Tit, and European Goldfinch thrive alongside waterbirds like the Coot, Gadwall, and Common Shelduck, which frequent the county's reservoirs and coastal mudflats. Many of these species also appear in our guide to 23 Common Garden Birds in the UK (Full Guide with Pictures), making Northumberland an excellent destination for both beginner and experienced birdwatchers.
Showing 1–23 of 45 species
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A common summer visitor from April to October, nesting in barns and outbuildings across rural Northumberland. A welcome sign of spring.
Apr–Oct
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
A common resident of gardens, hedgerows, and woodland. Numbers are boosted in autumn by Continental migrants arriving on the coast.
Year-round
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
An abundant and familiar resident of gardens, hedgerows, and woodlands year-round, readily visiting feeders even in the coldest months.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common resident found year-round on lakes, reservoirs and parkland throughout Northumberland. Often seen in large flocks on grassy fields.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
A common and familiar resident across farmland, towns, and gardens year-round. Often seen in mixed flocks with rooks and jackdaws.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common resident of woodland, hedgerows, and gardens. Autumn flocks are swelled by Continental migrants on the coast.
Year-round
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
A common resident heard singing its repetitive two-note call in woodlands and scrub. Some birds overwinter in sheltered coastal areas.
Mar–Dec
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
A common resident found year-round on farmland, coasts, and playing fields. Often seen alongside other gulls at harbours and tips.
Year-round
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Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
Widespread and common across farmland, woodland edges, and hedgerows year-round. Populations bolstered by regular releases for shooting.
Year-round
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
A common resident of Northumberland's estuaries and sandy coasts, often nesting in rabbit burrows. Readily seen at Lindisfarne and Budle Bay.
Year-round
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
A common resident forming spectacular winter murmurations, particularly near coastal towns. Breeds in holes in buildings and trees.
Year-round
Coot
Fulica atraLC
A common resident of lakes and reservoirs across the county. Aggressive and territorial when breeding, forming larger flocks in winter.
Year-round
Curlew
Numenius arquataNT
A common resident whose evocative call defines Northumberland's upland moors in spring. Moves to estuaries and coasts outside the breeding season.
Year-round
Dunnock
Prunella modularisLC
A common and widespread resident of hedgerows, gardens, and scrubby woodland edges throughout the county year-round.
Year-round
Eider
Somateria mollissimaNT
A common resident along the coast, with large rafts off the Farne Islands and Coquet Island. Breeds on offshore islands in summer.
Year-round
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegusNT
A common year-round resident, feeding on mussels and cockles along Northumberland's rocky shores and sandy estuaries. Noisy, piping calls are a hallmark of the coast.
Year-round
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
A common resident of open farmland and moorland fringes, delivering its soaring song flight from early spring across the county's uplands.
Year-round
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
Common and widespread on coastal marshes, flooded fields and reservoirs. Large winter flocks gather at Lindisfarne and other key Northumberland wetlands.
Year-round
Eurasian Wren
Troglodytes troglodytesLC
A common resident found in hedgerows, gardens, and woodland throughout the county. Its loud song belies its tiny size.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A colourful and common resident, frequently seen in chattering flocks feeding on teasel, thistle, and garden nyjer seed feeders.
Year-round
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
Abundant year-round along the coast and in towns. Breeds on rooftops and cliffs, and scavenges readily at harbours and landfill sites.
Year-round
European Robin
Erithacus rubeculaLC
One of Northumberland's most familiar garden birds, present year-round and singing through winter in woodlands, hedgerows, and parks.
Year-round
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
A common resident on lakes, reservoirs, and sheltered wetlands throughout the county. Breeds at sites like Gosforth Park and Druridge Bay.
Year-round