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 139–161 of 207 species
Northern Gannet
Morus bassanusLC
Present year-round offshore, often visible plunge-diving from coastal vantage points. Numbers peak during summer and autumn.
Year-round
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellusNT
A common resident of farmland and coastal fields. Winter flocks gather on low-lying ground, though breeding numbers continue to decline.
Year-round
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to estuaries and wetlands, most likely seen in autumn and winter among other dabbling ducks.
Sep–Mar
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
Osprey
Pandion haliaetusLC
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally spotted in April over reservoirs and rivers as birds head north to Scottish breeding sites.
Apr
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinusLC
A scarce but year-round resident, nesting on urban buildings and bridges. Often seen hunting pigeons over Newcastle and Sunderland city centres.
Jun–Apr
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
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Pomarine Jaeger
Stercorarius pomarinusLC
A rare seabird seen from coastal watchpoints between July and November. Autumn seawatches at Whitburn offer the best chance of sightings.
Jul–Nov
Purple Heron
Ardea purpureaLC
An exceptionally rare passage visitor, with occasional July records making any sighting in the region a notable event.
Jul
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 Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare and irruptive passage visitor, occasionally noted in June and November. Conifer plantations offer the best chance of a sighting.
Jun–Nov
Red Kite
Milvus milvusLC
A rare but increasingly seen resident, reflecting the species' ongoing northward expansion. Soars over open countryside and valleys.
Aug–Jun
Red Knot
Calidris canutusNT
Small numbers occur year-round on tidal mudflats, though far scarcer here than on larger estuaries further south.
Year-round
Red-backed Shrike
Lanius collurioLC
A rare passage migrant in May and September, occasionally found in coastal scrub. Once bred in Britain but now a scarce visitor.
May–Sep
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serratorLC
A rare but regular sight along the coast and river mouths. Present most of the year, often seen fishing in the lower Tyne.
Sep–Jul
Red-flanked Bluetail
Tarsiger cyanurusLC
A rare and exciting October vagrant, occasionally turning up at coastal sites like Whitburn or Tynemouth during easterly winds.
Oct
Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufaNT
A rare visitor in spring, occasionally recorded on farmland margins. This introduced species is scarce at the northern edge of its range.
Mar–May
Red-necked Grebe
Podiceps grisegenaLC
A rare autumn and early winter passage visitor, occasionally seen offshore or in sheltered coastal waters from September.
Sep–Dec
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
Redshank
Tringa totanusLC
A common year-round resident of estuaries, mudflats and coastal marshes. Its piping alarm call is a characteristic sound of the shoreline.
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