Birds in Northumberland
Explore 230 species found in this region.
Northumberland is one of England's most rewarding counties for birdwatching, with 218 recorded species found across its diverse landscapes of rugged coastline, upland moors, ancient woodlands, and estuarine mudflats. From the Farne Islands' famous seabird colonies to the high Cheviot Hills where Dotterel and Horned Lark breed, the county offers exceptional birding throughout the year. Notable species include Great Grey Shrike on winter heathlands, Eurasian Woodcock in dense woodland, and the striking Mandarin Duck along sheltered river valleys.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Barn Swallow arriving this month, and Arctic Loon and Cackling Goose depart for the season.
Showing 116–138 of 230 species
Jackdaw
Coloeus monedulaLC
A common and sociable resident found around farmland, villages, and castle ruins, often nesting in old stone buildings and chimney pots.
Year-round
Kestrel
Falco tinnunculusLC
An uncommon resident often seen hovering over roadside verges and moorland edges. Present year-round but declining nationally.
Year-round
Kittiwake
Rissa tridactylaVU
Breeds in noisy cliff colonies on the Farnes and at Dunstanburgh, though numbers are declining sharply across the region.
Year-round
Lapland Longspur
Calcarius lapponicusLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally seen on the Northumberland coast in October, favouring short coastal turf and stubble fields.
Oct
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscusLC
Present year-round but uncommon, seen along the coast and at inland tips. Less numerous here than Herring or Black-headed Gulls.
Year-round
Lesser Whitethroat
Curruca currucaLC
A rare and secretive summer breeder favouring tall hedgerows and scrubby thickets. Near the northern limit of its regular UK breeding range.
Apr–Oct
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 Auk
Alle alleLC
Scarce autumn and early winter visitor, sometimes driven inshore by North Sea gales. Occasionally wrecked on Northumberland beaches.
Oct–Dec
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Little Egret
Egretta garzettaLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, now seen regularly at estuaries and coastal pools, reflecting its northward range expansion.
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
Little Gull
Hydrocoloeus minutusLC
A rare but regular small gull seen along the coast and at reservoirs from spring through autumn. Dainty flight and dark underwings are distinctive.
Feb–Nov
Little Owl
Athene noctuaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor, occasionally spotted in lowland farmland with old hedgerows. Scarce this far north in England.
Jun–Feb
Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubiusLC
A rare breeding visitor to gravel pits and reservoir margins, arriving in April and departing by early autumn.
Apr–Sep
Little Stint
Calidris minutaLC
A rare but regular visitor to coastal scrapes and estuarine margins, mostly during autumn passage from August to October.
May–Oct
Little Tern
Sternula albifronsLC
Breeds on shingle beaches along the coast, notably at Long Nanny. A declining species needing protected nesting sites.
May–Aug
Long-billed Dowitcher
Limnodromus scolopaceusNT
A rare Nearctic vagrant occasionally recorded in November. Any sighting on Northumberland's coastal pools is a notable county record.
Nov
Long-eared Owl
Asio otusLC
A secretive and rarely encountered owl, occasionally recorded on passage in summer. Favours dense conifer plantations when present.
Jun–Jul
Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalisVU
An uncommon winter visitor to inshore waters, arriving from October. Small groups favour sheltered bays along the Northumberland coast.
Oct–Apr
Long-tailed Jaeger
Stercorarius longicaudusLC
A rare August passage migrant seen offshore, usually during strong northerly winds pushing seabirds close to the coast.
Aug
Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatusLC
An uncommon resident, moving through hedgerows and woodland edges in lively, chattering flocks. Present year-round across the county.
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
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
A rare passage visitor occasionally noted in April. Any sightings likely involve wandering feral birds from populations further south.
Apr