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 139–161 of 193 species
Red Knot
Calidris canutusNT
A rare visitor to the Teesmouth mudflats, most often recorded in passage periods and winter, sometimes forming small flocks on the estuary.
May–Feb
Red-backed Shrike
Lanius collurioLC
A rare May passage migrant, typically found in scrubby hedgerows. A declining species across Europe, making any local record significant.
May
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serratorLC
An uncommon resident of the Tees estuary and coast, most visible from autumn through spring. Scarce in summer months.
Oct–May
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufinaLC
A rare visitor to local lakes and reservoirs, with scattered records in spring and autumn. Origin often uncertain.
Sep–Apr
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellataLC
A rare passage visitor, mainly seen in autumn and spring moving along the coast or occasionally on the lower Tees. Known locally as Red-throated Diver.
Oct–Apr
Redshank
Tringa totanusLC
Common throughout the year on the Tees estuary mudflats and marshes, its loud piping calls are a familiar sound at Saltholme and Seal Sands.
Year-round
Redwing
Turdus iliacusNT
An uncommon winter visitor from Scandinavia, arriving in October. Feeds on berries in hedgerows and often joins fieldfare flocks on open fields.
Oct–Mar
Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclusLC
A common resident of reedbeds and wetland margins along the Tees, present year-round at sites like Saltholme.
Year-round
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Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
Uncommon but present from January to October, favouring shingle shores and mudflats around Seal Sands and the Tees estuary for nesting and feeding.
Jan–Oct
Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
Feral pigeons are abundant year-round in Stockton town centre and surrounding urban areas, nesting on buildings.
Year-round
Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosusLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally noted along the Tees estuary shoreline during May migration.
May
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
A year-round resident but rarely recorded, found in farmland and around rookeries. Numbers have declined significantly across the region.
Year-round
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Alexandrinus krameriLC
A rare resident, part of the slowly expanding feral population in north-east England. Occasionally seen in parks and gardens with mature trees.
Oct–Aug
Roseate Tern
Sterna dougalliiLC
An uncommon passage visitor in June and July, occasionally seen off the Tees coast. One of Britain's rarest breeding seabirds.
Jun–Jul
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensisLC
Now extremely rare following the national eradication programme. Only occasional April records remain in the area.
Apr
Ruddy Shelduck
Tadorna ferrugineaLC
A rare and likely escaped or wandering bird, recorded sporadically from late winter through autumn on local wetlands.
Feb–Nov
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpresLC
A rare resident found along rocky shorelines and man-made structures on the Tees estuary. Absent only in June.
Jul–May
Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
An uncommon year-round resident of shallow wetland pools and muddy scrapes. Numbers peak during autumn passage.
Year-round
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
A common summer breeder from March to September, nesting colonially in sandy riverbanks along the Tees and nearby waterways.
Mar–Sep
Sanderling
Calidris albaLC
Scarce visitor to the Tees estuary and coast, mainly on passage in spring and autumn. Prefers sandy shorelines where it runs energetically along the tideline.
Feb–Sep
Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensisLC
A rare passage visitor from June to September, plunge-diving for fish off the Tees coast and occasionally resting at the estuary mouth.
Jun–Sep
Savi's Warbler
Locustella luscinioidesLC
A rare passage visitor recorded briefly in June. This elusive reedbed specialist is a notable find for the Stockton area.
Jun
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
A common summer breeder from April to September, singing its scratchy song from reedbeds and dense waterside vegetation along the Tees.
Apr–Sep