Uncommon Birds in Tyne and Wear
73 species matching this filter.
Tyne and Wear supports a diverse range of uncommon bird species across its varied habitats, from the North Sea coastline to urban parks, river valleys, and pockets of woodland. With 73 species classified as uncommon, birdwatchers can encounter exciting finds such as Arctic Tern along the coast, Bullfinch and Great Spotted Woodpecker in wooded areas, and Goldeneye on reservoirs and estuaries during winter. The county's mix of coastal, freshwater, and terrestrial habitats makes it a rewarding destination for those willing to look beyond the everyday species.
Showing 1–23 of 73 species
Arctic Jaeger
Stercorarius parasiticusLC
An uncommon seabird seen offshore from late spring to autumn, harassing terns and Kittiwakes. Best spotted during seawatches.
May–Nov
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
An uncommon summer breeder, present from April to October. Nests at coastal colonies and can be seen fishing offshore.
Apr–Oct
Atlantic Puffin
Fratercula arcticaVU
Present most of the year offshore, with breeding colonies on the Farne Islands nearby. Occasionally seen from headlands.
Apr–Feb
Avocet
Recurvirostra avosettaLC
An uncommon breeding visitor from March to August, favouring shallow coastal pools and wetland scrapes in the region.
Mar–Aug
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
An uncommon resident breeding in woodland and scrub; some overwinter, supplemented by continental birds visiting garden feeders.
Jan–Nov
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of hedgerows, woodland edges and mature gardens. Often heard before seen with its soft piping call.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
An uncommon resident that has increased in recent decades, now seen soaring over farmland and urban fringes year-round.
Year-round
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
An uncommon resident breeding along rivers and seen on reservoirs year-round, often spotted fishing on the Tyne and its tributaries.
Year-round
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Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
An uncommon resident of birch and alder woodland, sometimes visiting garden feeders in winter. Numbers fluctuate with seed crop availability.
Jul–May
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
An uncommon summer breeder in Phragmites reedbeds from April to September. At the northern edge of its expanding range here.
Apr–Sep
Common Scoter
Melanitta nigraLC
An uncommon sea duck present offshore year-round. Rafts can be spotted from coastal headlands, with numbers peaking in winter.
Year-round
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
An uncommon resident found year-round on estuarine mudflats and coastal pools, often seen along the Tyne estuary and nearby coastline.
Year-round
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
An uncommon resident of damp grasslands and marshy areas, often flushed from cover with its characteristic zigzag flight and rasping call.
Year-round
Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of estuaries and mudflats. Numbers peak in winter when passage and wintering birds join locals.
Year-round
Eider
Somateria mollissimaNT
An uncommon resident along the rocky coastline. Breeds on nearby Northumberland shores and is seen year-round off local beaches.
Year-round
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
An uncommon year-round resident of suburban gardens and farmsteads. Its monotonous cooing call is a familiar sound in quieter neighbourhoods.
Year-round
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
An uncommon but increasing resident of mature woodland and parks, often detected by its harsh screeching call before being seen.
Year-round
Eurasian Nuthatch
Sitta europaeaLC
An uncommon resident of mature deciduous woodland and parkland, slowly expanding its range northward into Tyne and Wear.
Year-round
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
An uncommon resident often seen in alder and birch trees along river valleys, visiting garden feeders more frequently in winter.
Year-round
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
An uncommon resident of open farmland and coastal grassland, its song flight a familiar sight over remaining arable fields.
Year-round
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
Passer montanusLC
An uncommon resident, more localised than House Sparrow, favouring farmland edges and rural hedgerows. Often visits feeders in small flocks.
Year-round
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
An uncommon but year-round resident, most conspicuous in winter when flocks gather on coastal wetlands and estuaries.
Year-round
European Shag
Phalacrocorax aristotelisLC
An uncommon year-round resident of rocky coasts and harbour walls. Often seen perched with wings outstretched near pier structures.
Year-round