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 162–184 of 193 species
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeusLC
An uncommon resident of rough grassland and moorland edges. Most visible hunting low over fields in winter, sometimes around Teesside's coastal marshes.
Nov–May
Smew
Mergellus albellusLC
A rare but prized winter visitor to sheltered lakes and reservoirs, most likely in cold spells from October to March.
Oct–Mar
Snow Bunting
Plectrophenax nivalisLC
A rare winter passage visitor, very occasionally recorded along the coast or open ground in the coldest months.
Jan
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelosLC
An uncommon year-round resident of gardens, hedgerows, and woodland. Its rich, repeated song phrases are a welcome sound from early spring.
Year-round
Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLC
An uncommon but year-round resident, hunting small birds in gardens, parks, and woodland edges across the borough.
Year-round
Spotted Crake
Porzana porzanaLC
A rare and secretive passage migrant, occasionally recorded in April at marshy wetland sites. Extremely difficult to observe.
Apr
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striataLC
A rare passage migrant passing through in late summer, favouring woodland edges and mature gardens on its way south.
Aug–Sep
Spotted Redshank
Tringa erythropusLC
An uncommon visitor to the Tees estuary, present most months except midwinter. Look for its longer bill and distinctive call among Redshanks.
Feb–Nov
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Stock Dove
Columba oenasLC
A common but often overlooked resident of farmland and parkland, nesting in tree holes throughout the year.
Year-round
Stonechat
Saxicola torquatusLC
An uncommon resident favouring gorse-covered rough ground and coastal scrub. Males are striking with their black heads and orange-red breasts.
Year-round
Temminck's Stint
Calidris temminckiiLC
A rare passage wader, occasionally stopping at Tees wetlands in late spring and early autumn. Favours muddy pool edges, often solitary and easily overlooked.
May–Sep
Treecreeper
Certhia familiarisLC
A rare and unobtrusive resident, spiralling up tree trunks in mature woodland. Easily overlooked but present in suitable habitat year-round.
Jun–Apr
Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligulaLC
A common resident on lakes, reservoirs, and the River Tees throughout the year. Breeds locally on suitable waterbodies.
Year-round
Twite
Linaria flavirostrisLC
A rare winter visitor to coastal and rough grassland areas, occasionally seen in small flocks during the coldest months.
Dec–Feb
Water Pipit
Anthus spinolettaLC
A rare winter visitor to wetland margins and watercress beds along the Tees. Present from October to March, easily confused with Rock Pipit.
Oct–Mar
Water Rail
Rallus aquaticusLC
An uncommon but year-round resident, skulking in reedbeds and marshy vegetation. More often heard squealing than seen.
Year-round
Western Marsh-harrier
Circus aeruginosusLC
A common year-round raptor quartering the reedbeds and marshes at Saltholme and the Tees estuary, a conservation success story in the region.
Year-round
Wheatear
Oenanthe oenantheLC
An uncommon visitor to open ground and coastal fields during spring and autumn passage, with a gap in midsummer.
Mar–Oct
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopusLC
A rare breeding-season visitor from April to September, passing through the Tees estuary on migration with its distinctive seven-note whistling call.
Apr–Sep
Whinchat
Saxicola rubetraLC
An uncommon passage migrant seen in spring and autumn, favouring rough grassland and scrubby coastal areas.
Apr–Sep
White-rumped Sandpiper
Calidris fuscicollisVU
A rare transatlantic vagrant with July records, an exciting find among flocks of smaller waders on the Teesmouth mudflats.
Jul
White-winged Tern
Chlidonias leucopterusLC
A rare vagrant recorded on passage in April and July, typically at freshwater pools. A striking marsh tern from eastern Europe.
Apr–Jul
Whitethroat
Curruca communisLC
A common summer breeder from April to September, singing from hedgerows and scrubby field margins across the Stockton area.
Apr–Sep