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 93–115 of 189 species
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 Phalarope
Phalaropus fulicariusLC
A rare autumn passage visitor, typically storm-driven. Occasionally appears on reservoirs in September after Atlantic gales.
Sep
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
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
Hobby
Falco subbuteoLC
An uncommon summer breeder from April to October, hunting dragonflies and small birds over wetlands and open countryside.
Apr–Oct
Horned Grebe
Podiceps auritusVU
A rare passage visitor, occasionally turning up on reservoirs and lakes in November during autumn migration.
Nov
Spotted something?
Upload a photo to identify it
Identify
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
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
Jackdaw
Coloeus 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
Lesser Whitethroat
Curruca currucaLC
A rare breeding visitor from April to September, favouring tall hedgerows and scrubby thickets. Easily overlooked.
Apr–Sep
Lesser Yellowlegs
Tringa flavipesVU
A rare Nearctic vagrant, occasionally recorded in September at wetland reserves. Any sighting is a major event for the region.
Sep
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 Bittern
Ixobrychus minutusLC
An exceptionally rare June passage visitor from southern Europe. One of the scarcest herons to be recorded in the region.
Jun
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 Gull
Hydrocoloeus minutusLC
A rare spring passage visitor, occasionally seen over reservoirs and lakes in April. Its buoyant, tern-like flight is distinctive.
Apr
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
Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubiusLC
An uncommon summer breeder favouring gravel pits and reservoir margins. Arrives in March and departs by early autumn.
Mar–Sep