Birds in South Yorkshire
Explore 189 species found in this region.
South Yorkshire supports an impressive diversity of birdlife, with 187 species recorded across its varied landscapes of moorland, river valleys, wetlands, and urban green spaces. From the upland edges of the Peak District to the lowland marshes of the Dearne Valley, birders can encounter everything from Dotterel on high moorland passes to Northern Lapwing on farmland and Mandarin Duck along wooded waterways. Notable species such as Common Merganser, Eurasian Woodcock, and Northern Pintail reflect the county's rich mosaic of aquatic and terrestrial habitats.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Bar-tailed Godwit arriving this month, and Eurasian Woodcock and Hen Harrier depart for the season.
Showing 24–46 of 189 species
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 Crane
Grus grusLC
A rare but increasingly recorded breeder, part of the species' gradual recolonisation of England, seen at wetland sites.
Feb–Oct
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 Loon
Gavia immerLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded on larger reservoirs in November. Known locally as Great Northern Diver.
Nov
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
An uncommon resident favouring rivers and reservoirs. Most easily seen in winter on the Don and its tributaries.
Aug–May
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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 Quail
Coturnix coturnixLC
A rare and elusive summer visitor, more often heard than seen calling from cereal fields in June. Numbers vary greatly between years.
Jun
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 Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
A rare summer breeder arriving in April, favouring mature oak woodland on the western fringes of the region. Males flash their vivid orange-red tails.
Apr–Aug
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
An uncommon summer breeder found in reedbeds at sites like Old Moor RSPB and the Dearne Valley from April to September.
Apr–Sep
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
A summer breeder along upland streams and reservoir edges, bobbing on rocks from April before departing by autumn.
Apr–Oct
Common Scoter
Melanitta nigraLC
A rare inland passage visitor, occasionally dropping onto larger reservoirs in summer or autumn. An unexpected find away from its usual coastal haunts.
Jul–Oct
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
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
Screaming parties wheel over towns and cities from late April to August, nesting under eaves in Sheffield and surrounding areas.
Apr–Sep
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
An uncommon breeding visitor from April to September, nesting at reservoirs and gravel pits across the region.
Apr–Sep
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