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 116–138 of 207 species
Little Auk
Alle alleLC
A rare winter visitor, sometimes driven close inshore by autumn gales. Most records come from late October to December.
Oct–Jan
Little Egret
Egretta garzettaLC
A rare but increasingly regular resident, reflecting a dramatic northward spread. Seen at estuarine and wetland sites across the region.
Year-round
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollisLC
An uncommon but year-round resident on sheltered ponds, lakes, and slow rivers. Its whinnying trill is often heard before it is seen.
Year-round
Little Gull
Hydrocoloeus minutusLC
An uncommon non-breeding visitor, seen at coastal sites from late summer through winter. Often noted during seawatches.
Jul–Feb
Little Owl
Athene noctuaLC
A rare and secretive resident found on farmland with old buildings and hedgerows, mainly in the rural west of the region.
May–Feb
Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubiusLC
An uncommon summer breeder from March to August, nesting on bare ground near gravel pits and riverbanks.
Mar–Aug
Little Stint
Calidris minutaLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally found on coastal scrapes and muddy pool edges in August and September.
Aug–Sep
Little Tern
Sternula albifronsLC
A rare breeding visitor to sandy and shingle beaches from May to August, with nesting sites needing careful protection.
May–Aug
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Long-eared Owl
Asio otusLC
A rare non-breeding visitor, skulking in dense scrub and conifer plantations. Most likely encountered in winter months.
Jun–Mar
Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalisVU
A rare winter visitor to coastal waters, occasionally spotted offshore or in harbours from late autumn through to early spring.
Oct–Mar
Long-tailed Jaeger
Stercorarius longicaudusLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally spotted offshore during seawatches from headlands between August and October.
Aug–Oct
Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatusLC
A common and endearing resident, roving through hedgerows and woodlands in noisy family parties linked tail to tail.
Year-round
Magpie
Pica picaLC
A common and conspicuous resident of gardens, parks and farmland. Easily recognised by its bold black-and-white plumage and long tail.
Year-round
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
A common and familiar resident found on virtually any waterbody, from urban park ponds and rivers to coastal estuaries.
Year-round
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
A rare and elusive visitor, occasionally turning up on wooded rivers and park lakes, most likely involving feral or wandering birds.
Dec–Apr
Manx Shearwater
Puffinus puffinusLC
Uncommon but regularly seen offshore from April to December during seawatches, often in small groups skimming the waves.
Apr–Dec
Marsh Tit
Poecile palustrisLC
A rare January visitor, well north of its usual range. Tyne and Wear lies beyond the species' core British distribution.
Jan
Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensisLC
A common resident of upland grassland and moorland fringes. Also seen on coastal fields, with numbers boosted by passage birds in autumn.
Year-round
Merlin
Falco columbariusLC
A rare autumn passage migrant in October and November, dashing low over coastal scrub and open ground hunting small birds.
Oct–Nov
Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorusLC
An uncommon resident of parks, playing fields and open woodland, often seen defending berry-laden trees with rattling calls in winter.
Year-round
Moorhen
Gallinula chloropusLC
A familiar resident of ponds, lakes, and river margins, commonly seen picking through waterside vegetation year-round.
Year-round
Muscovy Duck
Cairina moschataLC
A rare and unexpected visitor, likely of feral or escaped origin. Occasionally recorded on urban waterways in February.
Feb
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
A familiar resident on rivers, lakes and park ponds throughout Tyne and Wear, breeding readily in urban and suburban settings.
Year-round