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 116–138 of 189 species
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
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
Merlin
Falco columbariusLC
A rare non-breeding visitor, seen hunting over moorland and open farmland mainly in autumn and winter months.
Jul–Mar
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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
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
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
Nightjar
Caprimulgus europaeusLC
A rare summer breeder found on heathland and moorland edges. Best detected by its churring song at dusk from May to July.
May–Jul
Northern Goshawk
Accipiter gentilisLC
A rare passage visitor in spring, occasionally seen over large woodlands. A secretive raptor that may breed nearby in the region's bigger forests.
Mar–Apr
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 Pintail
Anas acutaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to reservoirs and flooded fields, mainly from autumn through to early spring.
Sep–Apr
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
Osprey
Pandion haliaetusLC
A rare but thrilling passage visitor in spring and autumn, occasionally pausing to fish at larger reservoirs and lakes in the Dearne Valley.
May–Sep
Pectoral Sandpiper
Calidris melanotosLC
A rare transatlantic vagrant occasionally turning up at wetland sites in late summer. A prized find for local birders scanning wader flocks.
Jul–Sep
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