Common Birds in South Yorkshire
52 species matching this filter.
South Yorkshire supports 52 commonly seen bird species across its diverse mix of urban centres, rolling farmland, moorland edges, and wetland reserves. From familiar garden visitors like the Blackbird, Great Tit, and European Goldfinch to waterbirds such as the Coot, Gadwall, and Greylag Goose, the county offers rewarding birdwatching throughout the year. Many of these species are also widespread across the rest of the country — discover more in our guide to 23 Common Garden Birds in the UK (Full Guide with Pictures).
Showing 24–46 of 52 species
Great Tit
Parus majorLC
A common resident and familiar garden visitor year-round, readily using nest boxes in parks and woodland.
Year-round
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
A common year-round resident of gardens, hedgerows, and woodland edges. Numbers have declined due to trichomonosis but it remains widespread.
Year-round
Grey Heron
Ardea cinereaLC
A common year-round resident, readily seen along rivers, lakes and even garden ponds. Heronries are established at several sites in the region.
Year-round
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
A common resident found year-round on reservoirs, lakes and farmland. Feral and wild populations thrive across the region's wetlands.
Year-round
House Martin
Delichon urbicumLC
A common summer visitor breeding under eaves across towns and villages. Arrives from April and departs by October, gathering in large pre-migration flocks.
Apr–Oct
House Sparrow
Passer domesticusLC
A common and familiar resident of urban areas, thriving in towns and villages. South Yorkshire remains a stronghold for this species.
Year-round
Jackdaw
Corvus monedulaLC
A common and sociable resident, nesting in buildings, old trees, and church towers across towns and farmland alike.
Year-round
Kestrel
Falco tinnunculusLC
A common resident, often seen hovering over roadside verges, farmland, and rough grassland throughout the year.
Year-round
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Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscusLC
A common and familiar gull seen year-round at reservoirs, landfill sites, and urban areas. Numbers peak in summer when breeding colonies are active.
Year-round
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
A common resident of farmland, scrubby hillsides, and brownfield sites. Forms large winter flocks on stubble fields and weedy margins.
Year-round
Little Egret
Egretta garzettaLC
Now a common resident at wetland sites after a dramatic northward expansion. Regularly seen at Old Moor, Potteric Carr, and along river corridors.
Year-round
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollisLC
A common resident on ponds, canals and sheltered lakes throughout the region. Its distinctive whinnying trill is a familiar wetland sound.
Year-round
Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatusLC
A common and charming resident, roaming hedgerows and woodland in noisy family flocks. Readily visits garden feeders in winter.
Year-round
Magpie
Pica picaLC
A common and conspicuous resident found in gardens, parks and farmland. Easily recognised by its bold black-and-white plumage.
Year-round
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
The most widespread duck in the region, found on virtually any waterbody from urban park ponds to rural reservoirs.
Year-round
Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensisLC
A common resident of the moorlands and rough grasslands in the west. Numbers swell in lowland areas during winter as upland birds move down.
Year-round
Moorhen
Gallinula chloropusLC
A common year-round resident of ponds, canals and wetland margins. Readily seen in parks and gardens with suitable water.
Year-round
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
A familiar and common sight on canals, rivers, and park lakes throughout the region. Pairs nest along waterways and are present all year.
Year-round
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellusNT
A common resident of farmland and wet grassland, though nationally declining. Winter flocks gather on ploughed fields across the region.
Year-round
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
A common resident found year-round on shallow lakes and marshes. Numbers peak in winter at key wetland sites across the region.
Year-round
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
A common year-round resident on lakes and reservoirs, though nationally declining. Winter flocks gather at larger water bodies.
Year-round
Redwing
Turdus iliacusNT
A common winter visitor arriving from Scandinavia in October, feeding on hedgerow berries and open fields. Often found alongside Fieldfares.
Sep–Apr
Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclusLC
A common year-round resident of reedbeds, marshes, and damp farmland margins. Males are distinctive with black heads in the breeding season.
Year-round