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 24–45 of 45 species
Great Black-backed Gull
Larus marinusLC
A common and imposing resident along the Northumberland coast and at harbours, also frequenting inland reservoirs and rubbish tips year-round.
Year-round
Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carboLC
A common resident found year-round along the coast and inland rivers. Often seen drying outstretched wings on rocks at the Farne Islands.
Year-round
Great Tit
Parus majorLC
A common resident of woodlands, hedgerows and gardens. A familiar visitor to bird feeders across the county throughout the year.
Year-round
Grey Heron
Ardea cinereaLC
A common year-round resident found along rivers, lakes, and estuaries. Heronries are established at several sites across the county.
Year-round
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
A common resident found on farmland, lakes and coastal marshes throughout the year. Feral and wild populations mix, especially around Lindisfarne in winter.
Year-round
House Martin
Delichon urbicumLC
A common summer visitor nesting under eaves in towns and villages. Arrives from April and gathers in flocks before departing by October.
Apr–Oct
House Sparrow
Passer domesticusLC
A familiar year-round resident of Northumberland's towns, villages, and farmsteads, often nesting under eaves and gathering in noisy flocks.
Year-round
Jackdaw
Corvus monedulaLC
A common and sociable resident found around farmland, villages, and castle ruins, often nesting in old stone buildings and chimney pots.
Year-round
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Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
Common across Northumberland's gorse-covered hillsides and farmland hedgerows, often forming large flocks on stubble fields in winter.
Year-round
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollisLC
A common resident of sheltered ponds, lakes, and slow-flowing rivers, often heard giving its distinctive whinnying trill from dense cover.
Year-round
Magpie
Pica picaLC
A common and conspicuous resident of farmland, gardens and hedgerows throughout the county. Easily recognised by its bold pied plumage.
Year-round
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
Abundant and familiar year-round on rivers, lakes, ponds, and estuaries across the county. Readily seen in parks and farmland.
Year-round
Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensisLC
A common resident of Northumberland's open moorlands and rough grasslands, its thin call a constant soundtrack to the upland Cheviots.
Year-round
Moorhen
Gallinula chloropusLC
A common year-round resident found on ponds, rivers and village lakes, often seen flicking its white undertail as it forages.
Year-round
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
A familiar year-round resident on rivers, lakes and sheltered coastal waters. Pairs nest along the Tyne and other lowland waterways across the county.
Year-round
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellusNT
A common but declining resident of farmland and wetland margins. Large winter flocks form on ploughed fields across Northumberland's lowlands.
Year-round
Redshank
Tringa totanusLC
Common on estuaries, saltmarshes and wet pastures year-round, with Lindisfarne and the Tweed estuary holding key flocks.
Year-round
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
A common resident forming noisy rookeries in tall trees across farmland. Large flocks forage in ploughed fields year-round.
Year-round
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
A common summer breeder nesting colonially in sandy riverbanks along the Tyne, Coquet, and other waterways from March to September.
Mar–Sep
Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensisLC
A common summer breeder with important colonies on the Farne Islands. Plunge-dives for fish along the coast from April to October.
Apr–Oct
Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligulaLC
A common diving duck found year-round on freshwater lakes and reservoirs across Northumberland. Breeds locally and gathers in larger winter flocks.
Year-round
Woodpigeon
Columba palumbusLC
Abundant year-round in woodlands, parks, and farmland, often gathering in large flocks on arable fields during autumn and winter.
Year-round