Rare Birds in Tyne and Wear

89 species matching this filter.

All birds in Tyne and Wear

Tyne and Wear may be one of England's most urbanised counties, but its diverse habitats — from the North Sea coastline and estuarine mudflats of the Tyne and Wear rivers to pockets of woodland and parkland — attract a surprising variety of rare bird species. With 89 species classified as rare in the region, patient observers may encounter anything from the elusive Barn Owl and Eurasian Woodcock in quieter rural fringes to scarce passage migrants such as Bluethroat, Little Stint and Greenshank along the coast. Notable winter visitors like the Iceland Gull and breeding-season specialities such as the Garden Warbler add further interest throughout the year.

Firecrest
FirecrestSmallest · 9cm
to
Whooper Swan
Whooper SwanLargest · 165cm
Ranges from the Firecrest (9cm) to the Whooper Swan (165cm)35 families represented18 year-round residents

Showing 70–89 of 89 species

Ring Ouzel

Ring Ouzel

Turdus torquatusLC

A rare passage migrant seen briefly in April and October, often on coastal scrub or upland edges while moving between breeding and wintering grounds.

Oct–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Rose-ringed Parakeet

Rose-ringed Parakeet

Alexandrinus krameriLC

A rare but increasingly noted resident, part of the species' gradual northward spread from established southern populations.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Roseate Tern

Roseate Tern

Sterna dougalliiLC

A rare passage migrant, most likely seen near tern colonies in late summer. The nearby Coquet Island hosts a key UK breeding colony.

May–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Ruddy Duck

Ruddy Duck

Oxyura jamaicensisLC

A rare breeding visitor, now largely eradicated by national control programmes. Any sightings are increasingly exceptional.

Apr–Jun

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Ruff

Ruff

Philomachus pugnaxLC

A rare autumn passage migrant from July to October. Occasionally stops at freshwater pools and muddy margins along the coast.

Jul–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Asio flammeusLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to open grassland and coastal fields, mainly seen from autumn through to early spring.

Sep–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting

Plectrophenax nivalisLC

A rare winter visitor from Arctic breeding grounds, occasionally seen on beaches and coastal fields from October to March.

Oct–Mar

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Spotted Flycatcher

Spotted Flycatcher

Muscicapa striataLC

A rare passage visitor in May and late summer, perching prominently to catch insects in woodland clearings and coastal scrub.

May–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

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Spotted Redshank

Spotted Redshank

Tringa erythropusLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally noted at coastal pools and estuarine mudflats in August and September.

Aug–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Tawny Owl

Tawny Owl

Strix alucoLC

A secretive resident of mature woodland and parks year-round. More often heard than seen, its hooting call carries through the region's wooded denes.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Tundra Bean Goose

Tundra Bean Goose

Anser serrirostrisLC

A rare passage visitor, only occasionally recorded. Any sightings should be checked carefully among flocks of Pink-footed Geese.

Feb

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Velvet Scoter

Velvet Scoter

Melanitta fuscaVU

A rare sea duck seen offshore, most often in winter. Small numbers linger along the coast, sometimes mixing with Common Scoter flocks.

Jun–Mar

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Water Pipit

Water Pipit

Anthus spinolettaLC

A rare winter visitor to wetland margins and watercress beds from November to March. Easily overlooked among Meadow Pipits.

Nov–Mar

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Water Rail

Water Rail

Rallus aquaticusLC

A secretive year-round resident of reedbeds and marshy wetlands, more often heard squealing than seen.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Western Marsh-harrier

Western Marsh-harrier

Circus aeruginosusLC

A rare passage migrant in April and September, occasionally seen quartering over reedbeds and wetlands in the Tyne valley.

Apr–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Whinchat

Whinchat

Saxicola rubetraLC

A rare passage visitor in spring and late summer, favouring rough grassland and scrubby coastal areas during brief stopovers.

May–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Whooper Swan

Whooper Swan

Cygnus cygnusLC

A rare winter visitor, occasionally seen on wetlands and estuaries from October to April, with bugling calls distinguishing it from Mute Swan.

Oct–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Wood Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper

Tringa glareolaLC

A rare passage migrant seen briefly in May and again in July–August, favouring freshwater pools and marshy scrapes.

May–Aug

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Yellow Wagtail

Yellow Wagtail

Motacilla flavaLC

A rare and declining breeder, found on lowland wet meadows and farmland from April to September. A species of conservation concern.

Apr–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Yellow-legged Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Larus michahellisLC

A rare passage visitor in July and August, occasionally found among large gull flocks at coastal roosts and tips.

Jul–Aug

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
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