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 139–161 of 189 species
Red Grouse
Lagopus lagopus scoticaLC
Resident on the western moorlands of the Peak District fringe, where its distinctive "go-back" call echoes across the heather.
Year-round
Red Kite
Milvus milvusLC
A rare but increasing resident, gradually recolonising the area. Often seen soaring over farmland and woodland edges.
Year-round
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufinaLC
A rare passage visitor recorded in May and August, occasionally dropping in at larger lakes and reservoirs.
May–Aug
Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufaNT
An introduced resident found on arable farmland in the eastern lowlands, often seen in small coveys along field margins.
Year-round
Red-necked Phalarope
Phalaropus lobatusLC
A rare September passage visitor, occasionally turning up at shallow pools and reservoir margins. A prized find for local birders.
Sep
Redshank
Tringa totanusLC
A year-round resident of wetlands and reservoir margins, often heard before seen with its distinctive piping alarm call. Numbers bolstered by passage birds in autumn.
Year-round
Redwing
Turdus iliacusNT
A common winter visitor arriving from Scandinavia in October, feeding on hedgerow berries and open fields. Often found alongside Fieldfares.
Sep–Apr
Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclusLC
A common year-round resident of reedbeds, marshes, and damp farmland margins. Males are distinctive with black heads in the breeding season.
Year-round
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Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatusLC
A rare breeding visitor to the Peak District moorland fringes in the west, arriving in April. Declining and a high-priority conservation species.
Apr–Jun
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
An uncommon breeder on gravelly shores and scrapes, present from February to October at wetland reserves.
Feb–Oct
Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
An uncommon year-round resident; truly wild birds are hard to distinguish from ubiquitous feral pigeons in urban areas.
Year-round
Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosusLC
A rare passage visitor recorded briefly in October, far from its usual coastal haunts. An unusual inland record for this largely shoreline species.
Oct
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
An uncommon year-round resident, forming rookeries in farmland trees. Numbers have declined in the region, though colonies persist in rural areas.
Year-round
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Alexandrinus krameriLC
A rare resident representing the northward spread of feral populations from London. Occasionally reported around Sheffield's parks and suburbs.
Year-round
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensisLC
A rare resident, now scarce following national culling programmes. Occasionally recorded on reservoirs and lakes in the region.
Feb–Nov
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpresLC
A rare inland passage migrant in May and August, usually found on reservoir edges. Primarily a coastal species, so local records are notable.
May–Aug
Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
An uncommon visitor to wetland scrapes and reservoir margins, mainly on passage from late spring through autumn. Males in breeding plumage are rarely seen here.
Apr–Nov
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
An uncommon breeding visitor from March to September, nesting in sandy riverbanks and quarry faces along the Don and Dearne valleys.
Mar–Sep
Sanderling
Calidris albaLC
A rare inland passage migrant, occasionally recorded in May at reservoir margins and muddy scrapes.
May
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
An uncommon summer breeder from April to August, favouring dense waterside vegetation in the Dearne Valley and similar wetlands.
Apr–Aug
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeusLC
A rare resident of upland moorland in the western fringes, hunting low over rough grassland. More visible in winter months.
Nov–Jun
Smew
Mergellus albellusLC
A rare and prized winter visitor, occasionally recorded in February on reservoirs and larger waterbodies during cold spells.
Feb
Snow Bunting
Plectrophenax nivalisLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded in November on high moorland or open farmland. An exciting find in the region.
Nov