Rare Birds in South Yorkshire

78 species matching this filter.

All birds in South Yorkshire

South Yorkshire's diverse landscapes — from the moorlands of the Peak District fringe to the wetlands of the Dearne Valley and the Don corridor — attract a surprising variety of rare bird species. With 78 rare species recorded across the county, patient observers may encounter elusive gems such as Barn Owl, Common Crane, Little Bittern, and Dotterel. These sightings reflect the region's mix of upland, lowland, and wetland habitats that provide vital stopover and breeding sites for uncommon visitors.

Yellow-browed Warbler
Yellow-browed WarblerSmallest · 10cm
to
Tundra Swan
Tundra SwanLargest · 150cm
Ranges from the Yellow-browed Warbler (10cm) to the Tundra Swan (150cm)32 families represented20 year-round residents

Showing 24–46 of 78 species

Eurasian Bittern

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

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Eurasian Tree Sparrow

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

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Eurasian Woodcock

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

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
European Pied Flycatcher

European Pied Flycatcher

Ficedula hypoleucaLC

A rare spring passage migrant in April and May, occasionally stopping at wooded sites. Breeds further west and north in upland oak woods.

Apr–May

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
European Turtle-dove

European Turtle-dove

Streptopelia turturVU

A rare and rapidly declining summer breeder, arriving in May. One of the UK's most threatened birds, now very scarce here.

May–Aug

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Garganey

Garganey

Spatula querquedulaLC

A rare summer breeding visitor arriving in spring. Favours shallow wetlands and marshes at sites like the Dearne Valley.

Mar–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Golden Plover

Golden Plover

Pluvialis apricariaLC

Breeds on Peak District moorlands in summer; winter flocks gather on lowland farmland across the region.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Grasshopper Warbler

Grasshopper Warbler

Locustella naeviaLC

A rare summer breeder arriving in April, skulking in dense scrub and rough grassland. Its insect-like reeling song is easier to hear than the bird.

Apr–Jul

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

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Greater Scaup

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

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Greater White-fronted Goose

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

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Grey Phalarope

Grey Phalarope

Phalaropus fulicariusLC

A rare autumn passage visitor, typically storm-driven. Occasionally appears on reservoirs in September after Atlantic gales.

Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Hen Harrier

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

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Horned Grebe

Horned Grebe

Podiceps auritusVU

A rare passage visitor, occasionally turning up on reservoirs and lakes in November during autumn migration.

Nov

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Jack Snipe

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

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Lesser Whitethroat

Lesser Whitethroat

Curruca currucaLC

A rare breeding visitor from April to September, favouring tall hedgerows and scrubby thickets. Easily overlooked.

Apr–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Little Bittern

Little Bittern

Ixobrychus minutusLC

An exceptionally rare June passage visitor from southern Europe. One of the scarcest herons to be recorded in the region.

Jun

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Little Gull

Little Gull

Hydrocoloeus minutusLC

A rare spring passage visitor, occasionally seen over reservoirs and lakes in April. Its buoyant, tern-like flight is distinctive.

Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Little Owl

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

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Little Stint

Little Stint

Calidris minutaLC

A rare but eagerly sought autumn passage wader, appearing briefly at muddy scrapes and reservoir edges in August and September.

Aug–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Long-eared Owl

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

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Mandarin Duck

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

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Merlin

Merlin

Falco columbariusLC

A rare non-breeding visitor, seen hunting over moorland and open farmland mainly in autumn and winter months.

Jul–Mar

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Muscovy Duck

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

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
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