Birds in Stockton-on-Tees
Explore 193 species found in this region.
Stockton-on-Tees boasts a rich and diverse birdlife, with 186 species recorded across its varied habitats, from the wetlands and mudflats along the River Tees to farmland, woodland, and urban green spaces. The area attracts notable species such as Pink-footed Goose, Northern Lapwing, and Common Merganser, while rarities like the Red-backed Shrike occasionally make an appearance. Whether you're exploring the Tees estuary or the surrounding countryside, Stockton-on-Tees offers excellent birdwatching opportunities throughout the year.
Visiting in April? Look out for Barn Swallow and Brambling arriving this month, and Bohemian Waxwing and Common Redpoll depart for the season.
Showing 47–69 of 193 species
Cuckoo
Cuculus canorusLC
A rare and declining summer visitor, heard calling from May to July in scrubby wetland margins and woodland edges.
May–Jul
Curlew
Numenius arquataNT
A common year-round resident, breeding on upland farmland and wintering on estuarine mudflats along the Tees.
Year-round
Curlew Sandpiper
Calidris ferrugineaNT
An uncommon passage wader present from May to October, favouring the shallow pools and muddy margins around the Tees estuary reserves.
May–Oct
Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLC
A common resident on the Tees estuary mudflats year-round, often in large flocks. Numbers swell in winter with arrivals from northern breeding grounds.
Year-round
Dunnock
Prunella modularisLC
A common year-round resident, often heard singing its hurried song from dense hedgerows and garden shrubberies.
Year-round
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacaLC
A rare but increasingly established resident, sometimes seen on grassy areas near lakes and rivers from spring through autumn.
Mar–Jan
Eider
Somateria mollissimaNT
A rare passage visitor in spring, occasionally noted on the lower Tees or nearby coast between February and May.
Feb–May
Eurasian Bittern
Botaurus stellarisLC
A rare and secretive resident of Teesside's reedbeds. Most often detected by its distinctive booming call in spring; seldom seen in the open.
Feb–Dec
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Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
An uncommon year-round resident of gardens, farms, and suburban areas. Its monotonous call is a familiar sound.
Year-round
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
A scarce resident in mature woodland and parks, present most of the year. Less common here than in southern England.
Sep–Jun
Eurasian Nuthatch
Sitta europaeaLC
A scarce resident in mature deciduous woodland, slowly expanding its range northward. Listen for its loud, ringing call in local parks.
Apr–Feb
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegusNT
A common resident found year-round on the Tees estuary mudflats and nearby farmland. Its loud piping call is unmistakable.
Year-round
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
A rare non-breeding visitor, feeding on alder and birch seeds along waterways mainly from autumn through early spring.
Aug–Apr
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
An uncommon resident of open farmland and rough grassland around the borough. Its soaring song flight is a characteristic sound of spring.
Year-round
Eurasian Spoonbill
Platalea leucorodiaLC
An uncommon but increasingly regular year-round visitor, often seen feeding in the shallows at Saltholme as the UK population expands northward.
Year-round
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Passer montanusLC
A common resident, more widespread here than in many parts of England. Favours farmyards and rural hedgerows, often visiting garden feeders.
Year-round
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
Common throughout the year on flooded grasslands and wetland reserves. Numbers peak in winter with large flocks on the Tees marshes.
Year-round
Eurasian Woodcock
Scolopax rusticolaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor arriving in late autumn and wintering in damp woodland and hedgerows, most likely encountered during cold snaps.
Nov–Mar
Eurasian Wren
Troglodytes troglodytesLC
A common and vocal resident found in almost any habitat with dense cover. Remarkably loud for its tiny size, singing throughout the year.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A common and colourful year-round resident, often seen in chattering flocks feeding on teasels and garden seed feeders.
Year-round
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
A common year-round resident, nesting on rooftops and feeding along the Tees estuary. Numbers have declined significantly in recent decades.
Year-round
European Robin
Erithacus rubeculaLC
A familiar year-round resident of gardens, parks, and woodland, singing throughout much of the year.
Year-round
Fieldfare
Turdus pilarisLC
An uncommon winter visitor arriving from Scandinavia, feeding in hedgerow-rich farmland from October to March.
Oct–Mar