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 47–69 of 73 species
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
An uncommon resident favouring shallow wetlands and reservoirs, identifiable by its distinctive spatulate bill as it sweeps through the water.
Year-round
Pink-footed Goose
Anser brachyrhynchusLC
An uncommon but regular visitor, with skeins passing over in autumn and spring. Flocks feed on stubble fields and roost at wetlands.
Sep–May
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
An uncommon resident whose numbers have declined nationally. Found on deeper lakes and reservoirs, with winter flocks at key sites.
Year-round
Purple Sandpiper
Calidris maritimaLC
An uncommon resident of wave-washed rocky shores and harbour walls, often seen alongside Turnstones on the region's piers and breakwaters.
Aug–May
Razorbill
Alca tordaLC
An uncommon resident seen year-round offshore and at coastal cliffs, with breeding colonies nearby and birds rafting in coastal waters.
Year-round
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellataLC
An uncommon resident seen year-round, most often spotted offshore or flying low over the sea along the Tyne and Wear coast.
Year-round
Redwing
Turdus iliacusNT
An uncommon winter visitor, arriving from Scandinavia in autumn to feed on hedgerow berries across parks and farmland throughout the region.
Sep–Apr
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
An uncommon resident breeding on shingle beaches and frequenting estuarine shores year-round along the Tyne and Wear coastline.
Year-round
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Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosusLC
An uncommon resident of rocky coastlines and harbour walls. Feeds along the tideline year-round at sites like Tynemouth and Whitburn.
Year-round
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
An uncommon resident forming noisy rookeries in tall trees across farmland and urban fringes, though declining in parts of the region.
Year-round
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpresLC
An uncommon resident of rocky shorelines, busily flipping stones and seaweed to find invertebrates along the Tyne and Wear coast.
Year-round
Sanderling
Calidris albaLC
Present year-round on sandy beaches, with flocks scurrying along the tideline at sites like Whitley Bay and South Shields.
Year-round
Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensisLC
An uncommon breeder present from March to October. Feeds along the coast and nests at nearby colonies, often seen plunge-diving for fish.
Mar–Oct
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
An uncommon summer breeder in reedbeds and dense waterside vegetation from April to September. A lively and vocal warbler.
Apr–Sep
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelosLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of gardens, parks and woodland. Often heard smashing snail shells on a favourite stone anvil.
Year-round
Sooty Shearwater
Ardenna griseaNT
An uncommon offshore visitor from July to November, best seen during seawatches in strong onshore winds at autumn passage peaks.
Jul–Nov
Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLC
An uncommon but year-round resident, hunting small birds in gardens, parks, and woodland edges across the region.
Year-round
Stock Dove
Columba oenasLC
An uncommon resident found year-round in farmland, parkland and wooded areas. Easily overlooked among the region's abundant Woodpigeons.
Year-round
Stonechat
Saxicola torquatusLC
An uncommon resident found year-round on coastal gorse, rough grassland and brownfield sites. Numbers can increase in winter.
Year-round
Treecreeper
Certhia familiarisLC
An unobtrusive resident of mature woodland, spiralling up tree trunks probing bark for insects. Present year-round in parks and wooded denes.
Year-round
Wheatear
Oenanthe oenantheLC
An uncommon breeder on open ground and coastal grassland, arriving from March. Passage birds are seen along the coast into October.
Mar–Oct
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopusLC
An uncommon breeding visitor present from spring to early autumn, favouring coastal and upland habitats with its distinctive rippling call.
Apr–Sep
Willow Tit
Poecile montanusLC
An uncommon and declining resident of damp woodland with dead trees, one of the UK's most rapidly declining species.
Year-round