Birds in Tyne and Wear
Explore 207 species found in this region.
Tyne and Wear supports a remarkable diversity of birdlife, with 205 species recorded across its varied habitats, from the urban parks and gardens of Newcastle and Sunderland to the estuaries and coastline along the North Sea. The region's river valleys, wetlands, and coastal mudflats attract an impressive range of species, including Bluethroat, Northern Lapwing, Common Shelduck, and the striking Mandarin Duck. Whether you're watching waders on the Tyne estuary or spotting woodland birds like the Great Tit and Eurasian Woodcock, this compact county offers outstanding birding opportunities year-round.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Atlantic Puffin arriving this month, and Barn Owl and Cackling Goose depart for the season.
Showing 24–46 of 207 species
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
An uncommon resident that has increased in recent decades, now seen soaring over farmland and urban fringes year-round.
Year-round
Cackling Goose
Branta hutchinsiiLC
A rare Nearctic vagrant, occasionally recorded among flocks of wintering geese during spring passage in the region.
Mar
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common resident found year-round on park lakes, rivers, and reservoirs throughout the region. Feral populations are well established.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
A common and adaptable resident found across urban, suburban and rural habitats throughout the region all year round.
Year-round
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
A rare and recent colonist, more often heard than seen in dense wetland vegetation. Part of a northward range expansion across England.
Nov–Jul
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common resident of woodlands, hedgerows and gardens throughout the region, easily recognised by its bold wing bars and cheerful song.
Year-round
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
A common resident heard year-round, its distinctive two-note call echoing through woodlands, parks, and gardens.
Year-round
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
A common resident of coniferous and mixed woodland, also visiting garden feeders regularly, especially in winter months.
Year-round
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Common Gull
Larus canusLC
A common year-round gull found on playing fields, reservoirs, and coasts. Numbers peak in winter with an influx of continental birds.
Year-round
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
A scarce year-round resident along clean rivers and streams, occasionally visiting urban waterways in the Tyne valley.
Year-round
Common Loon
Gavia immerLC
A rare but near year-round presence off the coast, favouring deeper waters. Most likely seen from headlands and piers.
Sep–Jun
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
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
A common resident of farmland, hedgerows, and woodland edges. Widely released for shooting and seen year-round across rural areas.
Year-round
Common Quail
Coturnix coturnixLC
A rare passage migrant, more often heard than seen. Occasionally recorded calling from cereal fields in early summer.
Jun
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 Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
A rare passage migrant in spring and autumn, favouring coastal scrub and parks. Does not typically breed in the region.
May–Sep
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 Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
A rare breeding visitor, bobbing along stony riverbanks from April to September. Most likely along the upper Tyne tributaries.
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
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
A common and familiar resident, often seen in noisy flocks on rooftops and lawns. Winter roosts can number thousands, notably along the Tyne.
Year-round
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
A common summer breeder, screaming over rooftops from May to August. Nests in older buildings across Newcastle and surrounding towns.
May–Sep