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 93–115 of 207 species
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifronsLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally turning up among other goose flocks on farmland or wetlands between December and March.
Dec–Mar
Green Sandpiper
Tringa ochropusLC
A rare visitor to freshwater pools and stream edges, most often seen during passage from midsummer into autumn, bobbing distinctively.
Mar–Nov
Greenfinch
Chloris chlorisLC
A common garden and parkland resident, though numbers have declined sharply due to disease. Often seen at feeders in small groups.
Year-round
Greenshank
Tringa nebulariaLC
A rare passage migrant from July to October, pausing at coastal pools and estuarine mudflats on its southward journey.
Jul–Oct
Grey Heron
Ardea cinereaLC
A common resident found along rivers, lakes, and estuaries throughout the region. Often seen standing motionless at the waterside.
Year-round
Grey Partridge
Perdix perdixLC
An uncommon and declining resident of arable farmland. Secretive and easily overlooked, favouring open fields with hedgerow margins.
Year-round
Grey Plover
Pluvialis squatarolaLC
A rare wader found on coastal mudflats and beaches, mainly from late summer through autumn, with silvery plumage in non-breeding dress.
Aug–Jan
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinereaLC
An uncommon resident favouring fast-flowing streams and rivers such as the Derwent, often seen bobbing its tail on waterside rocks.
Year-round
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Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
An uncommon resident found on lakes and farmland. Feral populations breed locally, with numbers supplemented by wild birds in winter.
Year-round
Hobby
Falco subbuteoLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded in June as birds overshoot their usual southern breeding range.
Jun
Hoopoe
Upupa epopsLC
A rare and exotic spring overshoot, occasionally turning up in May. Always a crowd-drawing find in the region.
May
Horned Grebe
Podiceps auritusVU
A rare passage visitor, occasionally spotted on coastal waters or reservoirs in February, typically in winter plumage.
Feb
House Martin
Delichon urbicumLC
A common summer visitor breeding under eaves across towns and villages. Arrives in April and departs by October.
Apr–Oct
House Sparrow
Passer domesticusLC
A common and familiar resident, thriving in urban areas, gardens and around buildings throughout the region all year.
Year-round
Iceland Gull
Larus glaucoidesLC
A rare winter visitor from the Arctic, occasionally spotted among gull flocks at the coast or reservoirs from November to April.
Nov–Apr
Jack Snipe
Lymnocryptes minimusLC
A secretive winter visitor to boggy margins and wetlands, rarely flushed from cover. Present from October to March but easily overlooked.
Oct–Mar
Jackdaw
Coloeus monedulaLC
A common and sociable resident, nesting in buildings and old trees. Noisy flocks are a familiar sight across towns and parks.
Year-round
Kestrel
Falco tinnunculusLC
An uncommon resident seen hovering over roadside verges, farmland, and urban fringe areas throughout the year.
Year-round
Kittiwake
Rissa tridactylaVU
An uncommon but iconic resident, nesting on buildings and cliffs along the Tyne. Numbers have declined sharply in recent decades.
Year-round
Lapland Longspur
Calcarius lapponicusLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, with September records along the coast. Favours short coastal grassland and stubble fields.
Sep
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscusLC
An uncommon year-round resident, often seen at landfill sites, playing fields and along the coast. Less numerous than Herring Gulls locally.
Year-round
Lesser Whitethroat
Curruca currucaLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April, favouring tall hedgerows and scrubby thickets across the region's lowlands.
Apr–Oct
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
A common resident of farmland, coastal scrub and rough ground. Flocks gather on weedy fields and saltmarshes outside the breeding season.
Year-round