Birds in West Yorkshire
Explore 185 species found in this region.
West Yorkshire supports a rich diversity of birdlife, with 182 species recorded across its varied landscapes of upland moorland, river valleys, reservoirs, and urban parklands. From the iconic Northern Lapwing displaying over farmland to wintering flocks of Pink-footed Geese and the striking Mandarin Duck found on sheltered waterways, the county offers rewarding birding throughout the year. Key habitats include the Pennine moorlands to the west, the Aire and Calder river corridors, and numerous reservoirs that attract both breeding and passage species.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Black-crowned Night-heron arriving this month, and Eurasian Woodcock and Greater Scaup depart for the season.
Showing 24–46 of 185 species
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common resident of woodlands, hedgerows, and gardens. Its bright song is a familiar sound from late winter onwards.
Year-round
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
A common resident found year-round in woodlands, parks, and gardens. Its repetitive two-note song is one of the earliest heard in spring.
Year-round
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
A common resident of coniferous and mixed woodland, readily visiting garden feeders. Its distinctive "pitchou" call rings through West Yorkshire's plantations.
Year-round
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
Present year-round, frequenting playing fields, reservoirs and farmland. Less numerous than Black-headed Gulls but a regular sight.
Year-round
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
An uncommon but prized resident along clean rivers and canals. Look for a flash of electric blue along the Aire, Calder, and their tributaries.
Year-round
Common Loon
Gavia immerLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally appearing on larger reservoirs in late autumn and early winter. A striking diver and always a notable inland record.
Nov–Dec
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
An uncommon year-round resident on clean rivers and reservoirs. Often seen in small groups on the Wharfe and other upland-fed waterways.
Year-round
Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
A common resident across farmland and woodland edges. Regularly encountered in rural areas throughout the year.
Year-round
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Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
A rare but increasing resident, spreading into the Pennine uplands. Its deep cronking call carries far over moorland and crags.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
An uncommon resident of birch woodland and scrubby moorland edges. Often visits garden feeders in winter, sometimes in small twittering flocks.
Sep–May
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
A rare summer breeder favouring upland oak woodlands on the Pennine fringe. The male's fiery orange tail is unmistakable.
Apr–Sep
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving from April, nesting in reedbeds at lowland wetland reserves. Its repetitive chattering song carries across marshy pools.
Apr–Sep
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
Bobs along rocky streams and reservoir edges from April to September, its shrill call a characteristic sound of Pennine waterways.
Apr–Sep
Common Scoter
Melanitta nigraLC
A rare breeder with sporadic records. Occasionally seen on upland reservoirs during spring and late summer passage.
Mar–Nov
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
An uncommon resident, breeding at a few wetland sites. More often seen around larger reservoirs and gravel pits.
Year-round
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
An uncommon resident of boggy moorland and wet meadows. Numbers increase in winter when birds move to lowland marshes and waterlogged fields.
Year-round
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
A common resident forming spectacular winter murmurations over towns and cities. Despite familiarity, numbers have declined significantly.
Year-round
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
A common breeding visitor screaming over towns and villages from late April to August. Nests in older buildings and readily takes to swift boxes.
Apr–Sep
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
An uncommon summer breeder nesting on reservoir islands and gravel banks. Present from April to September, often seen fishing over open water.
Apr–Sep
Coot
Fulica atraLC
A common resident on lakes, reservoirs, and canals throughout the year. Large winter gatherings form on open water across the region.
Year-round
Cuckoo
Cuculus canorusLC
An uncommon summer visitor arriving in April, favouring moorland edges and wooded valleys. Its distinctive call is increasingly hard to hear as numbers decline.
Apr–Jun
Curlew
Numenius arquataNT
An uncommon year-round resident, breeding on upland moors and rough pasture. Its evocative call is a signature sound of the Pennine fringe.
Year-round
Curlew Sandpiper
Calidris ferrugineaNT
A rare autumn passage wader, occasionally recorded at reservoir margins in September. Elegant and long-billed, it favours muddy shorelines.
Sep