Birds to See in South Yorkshire in January
114 species matching this filter.
South Yorkshire offers a diverse range of birdwatching opportunities in January, with 114 species recorded across its varied habitats including the wetlands of the Dearne Valley, the woodlands of the Peak District fringe, and urban parks in Sheffield and Doncaster. Winter visitors such as Fieldfare and Eurasian Woodcock join resident species like Barn Owl, Great Tit, and Magpie, while reservoirs and waterways attract wildfowl including Common Merganser, Common Shelduck, and Little Grebe. Whether you're exploring the reedbeds at Old Moor RSPB reserve or scanning farmland hedgerows for winter thrushes, January is a rewarding month for birding in the county.
New in January3
Leaving after last month4
Resident
(101)
Barn Owl
Tyto albaLC
A rare but resident species hunting over rough grassland and farmland, mainly in the lowland east. Best spotted at dusk quartering fields silently.
Year-round
Bearded Tit
Panurus biarmicusLC
A rare resident confined to extensive reedbeds such as those at Old Moor RSPB. Listen for distinctive pinging calls among the reed stems.
Year-round
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
A familiar year-round resident found in gardens, parks, and woodlands across the region. One of South Yorkshire's most abundant and recognisable songbirds.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
An uncommon year-round resident of woodland and mature gardens. Winter birds from central Europe supplement the breeding population at garden feeders.
Year-round
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
A common and much-loved garden resident, readily using nest boxes. Present year-round in woodlands, parks and hedgerows.
Year-round
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of hedgerows, orchards, and woodland edges. Shy and unobtrusive, often detected by its soft piping call.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
A common resident, frequently seen soaring over farmland, moorland fringes, and woodland throughout the year.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common and widespread resident of parks, lakes and rivers. Large moulting flocks gather on open water in summer.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
A common and adaptable resident seen across all habitats from city centres to upland pastures throughout the year.
Year-round
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, heard more than seen in dense reedbed and scrub at wetland sites such as Old Moor and Potteric Carr.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common resident of woodlands, hedgerows and gardens throughout the year. One of the region's most familiar songbirds.
Year-round
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
A common resident heard year-round, with numbers boosted by continental migrants in autumn. Favours scrub and woodland edges.
Year-round
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
An uncommon resident favouring coniferous and mixed woodland, regularly visiting garden feeders especially in winter months.
Year-round
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
Present year-round but most conspicuous in winter when numbers increase on playing fields, reservoirs, and farmland. Often mixed in with other gull species.
Year-round
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
An uncommon resident along the River Don and its tributaries. A flash of electric blue darting low over the water is often the first sign.
Year-round
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
An uncommon resident favouring rivers and reservoirs. Most easily seen in winter on the Don and its tributaries.
Aug–May
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
A common and widespread resident of farmland, woodland edges, and hedgerows, sustained largely by game releases. Its explosive flush startles many a walker.
Year-round
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
A rare but increasing resident, recolonising the region after historical absence. Deep cronking calls may be heard over moorland and wooded valleys.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
An uncommon resident favouring birch and alder woodland. Often seen in small flocks feeding acrobatically in treetops, especially in winter.
Year-round
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
An uncommon resident found on wetlands and flooded fields, often seen at sites like Old Moor RSPB and the Dearne Valley.
Year-round
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
A year-round resident of marshy ground and wet meadows, more conspicuous in winter when flushed from ditches and bogs.
Year-round
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
A common resident forming spectacular winter murmurations, notably over Sheffield and Rotherham. Numbers boosted by continental arrivals.
Year-round
Coot
Fulica atraLC
A common and conspicuous resident on lakes, reservoirs and canals throughout the region. Easily recognised by its white frontal shield.
Year-round
Corn Bunting
Emberiza calandraLC
A rare and declining resident of open arable farmland, singing its jangling song from fence posts. One of the region's scarcest buntings.
Nov–Jun
Dipper
Cinclus cinclusLC
A rare resident of fast-flowing streams in the western Pennine fringes, a charismatic indicator of clean upland waterways.
Sep–Jul
Dunnock
Prunella modularisLC
A common but unobtrusive resident of hedgerows and garden shrubberies. Its thin, warbling song is heard throughout the year across the region.
Year-round
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacaLC
A rare but year-round resident, this expanding non-native species occasionally turns up at lowland reservoirs and lakes across the region.
Year-round
Eurasian Bittern
Botaurus stellarisLC
A rare and secretive resident of extensive reedbeds, most reliably found at sites like Old Moor. Its booming call in spring is the best clue to its presence.
Year-round
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
A year-round resident of suburban gardens, farms, and villages, though less abundant than in previous decades. Its monotonous three-note call is distinctive.
Year-round
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
A common resident of broadleaved and mixed woodland. Noisy and colourful, often seen burying acorns in autumn across the region's parks and woods.
Year-round
Eurasian Nuthatch
Sitta europaeaLC
An uncommon resident of mature broadleaved woodland, also visiting garden feeders. Has spread northward in recent decades.
Year-round
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegusNT
A common breeding visitor, arriving on farmland and river shingle from late winter. Piping calls are a familiar spring sound.
Jan–Aug
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
An uncommon resident, more conspicuous in winter when flocks visit alder trees and garden feeders. Breeds in conifer woodland in the west.
Year-round
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
A common resident of open farmland and moorland edges, delivering its iconic song in hovering flight from early spring.
Year-round
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Passer montanusLC
A rare and declining resident, found at scattered farmland sites with hedgerows and old buildings. Far less common than its House Sparrow cousin.
Year-round
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
Present year-round but most numerous in winter, grazing flocks gather on flooded grasslands and reservoirs across the region.
Year-round
Eurasian Woodcock
Scolopax rusticolaLC
A rare and elusive resident of damp woodland, most likely encountered during winter when continental birds boost numbers. Absent in autumn.
Nov–Jul
Eurasian Wren
Troglodytes troglodytesLC
A common and widespread resident found in almost every habitat from urban gardens to moorland cloughs. Remarkably loud song for its tiny size.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A common and colourful resident, increasingly visiting garden feeders. Flocks gather on seed-rich brownfield sites in autumn and winter.
Year-round
European Green Woodpecker
Picus viridisLC
An uncommon resident with a distinctive laughing call, found in parkland and woodland edges where it feeds on ground-dwelling ants.
Year-round
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
A common year-round resident, frequenting reservoirs, playing fields, and urban rooftops across the region.
Year-round
European Robin
Erithacus rubeculaLC
A common and familiar year-round resident of gardens, woodlands, and hedgerows. One of the region's most confiding and recognisable birds.
Year-round
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
A common resident duck found on lakes, reservoirs, and marshes year-round. Often overlooked among Mallards but readily identified by its subtle plumage.
Year-round
Goldcrest
Regulus regulusLC
Britain's smallest bird, resident year-round but uncommon, favouring conifer plantations and mature gardens with evergreen cover.
Year-round
Golden Plover
Pluvialis apricariaLC
Breeds on Peak District moorlands in summer; winter flocks gather on lowland farmland across the region.
Year-round
Great Black-backed Gull
Larus marinusLC
An uncommon year-round resident, often seen at reservoirs and landfill sites. Less numerous inland than other large gulls.
Year-round
Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carboLC
A common resident found year-round on rivers, reservoirs, and lakes. Numbers have increased significantly in recent decades.
Year-round
Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatusLC
A common and elegant resident of larger lakes and reservoirs. Its elaborate courtship display can be seen from early spring onwards.
Year-round
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos majorLC
An uncommon resident of broadleaved and mixed woodland, also visiting garden feeders. Drumming is heard from late winter.
Year-round
Great Tit
Parus majorLC
A common resident and familiar garden visitor year-round, readily using nest boxes in parks and woodland.
Year-round
Great White Egret
Ardea albaLC
An increasingly regular sight at wetland reserves and river valleys, reflecting a national range expansion. Tall and striking, it stands out among Little Egrets.
Year-round
Green Sandpiper
Tringa ochropusLC
An uncommon but year-round resident, favouring muddy pool edges and ditches. Numbers increase in late summer with returning migrants.
Jun–Apr
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
Grey Partridge
Perdix perdixLC
A declining resident of arable farmland and field margins, now uncommon across the region. Conservation efforts on local farms aim to support this species.
Year-round
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinereaLC
An uncommon resident found along fast-flowing streams and rivers, especially in the western valleys. Bobs its long tail constantly on waterside rocks.
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 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
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
Little Owl
Athene noctuaLC
A rare but resident owl found on farmland with old stone walls and barns, often seen perched prominently during daylight.
Year-round
Long-eared Owl
Asio otusLC
A rare and secretive resident of dense conifer and mixed woodland. Highly elusive, most often detected by its low moaning call on winter evenings.
Nov–Jun
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
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
A rare but year-round resident, favouring wooded rivers and lakes. The striking males are occasionally spotted on sheltered waterways.
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
Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorusLC
An uncommon resident of parkland, open woodland, and playing fields. Often sings boldly from treetops even in winter storms.
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
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinusLC
An uncommon year-round resident, increasingly seen nesting on tall buildings in Sheffield and other urban centres. A powerful hunter of pigeons.
Year-round
Pink-footed Goose
Anser brachyrhynchusLC
An uncommon resident, with skeins sometimes seen overhead in autumn and winter. Frequents arable fields and reservoir margins.
Jul–May
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
A common year-round resident on lakes and reservoirs, though nationally declining. Winter flocks gather at larger water bodies.
Year-round
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare and nomadic resident of conifer plantations, with numbers varying year to year. Listen for loud flight calls over forests in the west.
Jul–May
Red Grouse
Lagopus lagopus scoticaLC
Resident on the western moorlands of the Peak District fringe, where its distinctive "go-back" call echoes across the heather.
Year-round
Red Kite
Milvus milvusLC
A rare but increasing resident, gradually recolonising the area. Often seen soaring over farmland and woodland edges.
Year-round
Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufaNT
An introduced resident found on arable farmland in the eastern lowlands, often seen in small coveys along field margins.
Year-round
Redshank
Tringa totanusLC
A year-round resident of wetlands and reservoir margins, often heard before seen with its distinctive piping alarm call. Numbers bolstered by passage birds in autumn.
Year-round
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
Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
An uncommon year-round resident; truly wild birds are hard to distinguish from ubiquitous feral pigeons in urban areas.
Year-round
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
An uncommon year-round resident, forming rookeries in farmland trees. Numbers have declined in the region, though colonies persist in rural areas.
Year-round
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Alexandrinus krameriLC
A rare resident representing the northward spread of feral populations from London. Occasionally reported around Sheffield's parks and suburbs.
Year-round
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeusLC
A rare resident of upland moorland in the western fringes, hunting low over rough grassland. More visible in winter months.
Nov–Jun
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelosLC
A common resident heard singing from gardens and woodlands year-round. Declining nationally but still widespread across South Yorkshire.
Year-round
Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLC
A widespread but unobtrusive resident, hunting small birds in gardens, woodland edges, and hedgerows. Often seen dashing low along hedgelines.
Year-round
Stock Dove
Columba oenasLC
A common resident of farmland, parkland, and woodland, nesting in tree holes and old buildings. Often seen in small flocks feeding on stubble fields.
Year-round
Stonechat
Saxicola torquatusLC
An uncommon resident of heathland and moorland edges in the Peak District fringe. Often perches prominently on gorse bushes year-round.
Year-round
Tawny Owl
Strix alucoLC
A secretive resident of mature woodland, more often heard than seen. Under-recorded due to its nocturnal habits.
Year-round
Treecreeper
Certhia familiarisLC
An uncommon resident of mature woodland, spiralling up tree trunks in parks and ancient woods throughout the year.
Year-round
Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligulaLC
A common resident breeding on lakes and reservoirs throughout the region. Numbers increase in winter with continental arrivals.
Year-round
Water Rail
Rallus aquaticusLC
A secretive year-round resident of reedbeds and marshes, more often heard than seen. Listen for its pig-like squealing call at sites like Old Moor.
Year-round
Western Marsh-harrier
Circus aeruginosusLC
An uncommon resident of reedbeds and marshes, now present year-round following successful recolonisation of the region's wetlands.
Year-round
Willow Tit
Poecile montanusLC
A rare and rapidly declining resident, making South Yorkshire a key area for conservation. Favours damp woodland with decaying birch and willow.
Year-round
Woodpigeon
Columba palumbusLC
An abundant resident found everywhere from city centres to farmland and woodland. Numbers swell in autumn with continental immigrants.
Year-round
Yellowhammer
Emberiza citrinellaLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of farmland hedgerows and field margins. A declining species nationally, making South Yorkshire populations important.
Year-round
Non-breeding
(12)
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulusLC
A rare and irruptive winter visitor, sometimes appearing in flocks in urban areas to feed on rowan berries, mainly in November to January.
Nov–Jan
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A rare winter visitor from Scandinavia, sometimes joining Chaffinch flocks at woodland edges and beneath beech trees from October to April.
Oct–Apr
Fieldfare
Turdus pilarisLC
An uncommon winter visitor from Scandinavia, arriving from October and feeding in flocks on hedgerow berries across farmland.
Oct–Apr
Goldeneye
Bucephala clangulaLC
An uncommon but regular winter visitor to reservoirs and gravel pits from October to April. Males are striking with their glossy green heads and white face patch.
Oct–Apr
Greater Scaup
Aythya marilaLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally appearing on larger reservoirs and gravel pits. Usually found singly among flocks of Tufted Duck.
Oct–Jan
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifronsLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally turning up on flooded fields and reservoirs in the coldest months alongside other grazing geese.
Dec–Feb
Hen Harrier
Circus cyaneusLC
A rare winter visitor to open moorland and farmland, mainly in the upland fringes. Females and young 'ringtails' are seen more often than adult males.
Nov–Mar
Jack Snipe
Lymnocryptes minimusLC
A rare and secretive winter visitor to boggy marshes and wet meadows. Easily overlooked due to its skulking habits.
Oct–Mar
Muscovy Duck
Cairina moschataLC
A rare non-breeding visitor of domestic or feral origin, occasionally appearing on park lakes and waterways throughout the year.
Jun–Mar
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to reservoirs and flooded fields, mainly from autumn through to early spring.
Sep–Apr
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
Whooper Swan
Cygnus cygnusLC
An uncommon winter visitor arriving from Iceland, found on flooded fields and larger water bodies. Its bugling calls distinguish it from the resident Mute Swan.
Sep–Apr
