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 47–69 of 189 species
Cuckoo
Cuculus canorusLC
A declining summer visitor arriving in April, its distinctive call heard around moorland edges and the Dearne Valley wetlands.
Apr–Aug
Curlew
Numenius arquataNT
An uncommon resident breeding on upland moors in the west. Declining nationally, its evocative call is a hallmark of the Pennine fringe.
Feb–Dec
Curlew Sandpiper
Calidris ferrugineaNT
A scarce autumn passage wader in September and October, picking through muddy scrapes at the region's key wetland sites.
Sep–Oct
Dipper
Cinclus cinclusLC
A rare resident of fast-flowing streams in the western Pennine fringes, a charismatic indicator of clean upland waterways.
Sep–Jul
Dotterel
Eudromias morinellusLC
A rare autumn passage migrant through the region in August and September, occasionally stopping on upland fields and moorland edges.
Aug–Sep
Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLC
Small numbers breed on upland moorland in the west, with passage and wintering birds appearing at lowland reservoirs and wetlands from late summer onwards.
Mar–Dec
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
Spotted something?
Upload a photo to identify it
Identify
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 Spoonbill
Platalea leucorodiaLC
An uncommon but increasing breeder, present from April to October at key wetlands such as those in the Dearne Valley.
Apr–Oct
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