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 93–115 of 185 species
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
A common year-round resident found on reservoirs, lakes, and park ponds across the region. Feral populations mix with truly wild birds.
Year-round
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC
A rare and elusive winter visitor, occasionally recorded in December. One of the hardest finches to find in the region.
Dec
Hobby
Falco subbuteoLC
A rare summer visitor from May to September, hunting dragonflies and hirundines over wetlands and open country.
May–Sep
Hoopoe
Upupa epopsLC
A rare and exciting autumn vagrant, occasionally recorded in October. This striking, crested bird is always a major draw for local birders.
Oct
Horned Grebe
Podiceps auritusVU
A rare non-breeding visitor to reservoirs and larger waterbodies from late autumn through early spring. Often associates with other grebes.
Nov–Apr
House Martin
Delichon urbicumLC
A common summer breeder nesting under the eaves of houses across towns and villages. Arrives in April and gathers in flocks before departing by October.
Apr–Oct
House Sparrow
Passer domesticusLC
A common year-round resident, nesting in colonies under eaves in towns and villages. Numbers have declined but remain steady locally.
Year-round
Iceland Gull
Larus glaucoidesLC
A rare winter wanderer, occasionally turning up among gull flocks at reservoirs or tips, most likely in February.
Feb
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Jack Snipe
Lymnocryptes minimusLC
A secretive winter visitor to boggy margins and waterlogged fields, rarely flushing unless almost underfoot. Present October to March.
Oct–Mar
Jackdaw
Coloeus monedulaLC
A common and sociable resident, nesting in old buildings, church towers, and tree cavities across towns and farmland.
Year-round
Kestrel
Falco tinnunculusLC
A common resident, frequently seen hovering over motorway verges, farmland, and moorland edges throughout the year.
Year-round
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscusLC
A common resident present all year, breeding on moorland and rooftops. Large numbers gather at reservoir roosts and landfill sites across the region.
Year-round
Lesser Whitethroat
Curruca currucaLC
A rare summer breeder from April to August, favouring tall hedgerows and scrubby thickets in the lowland valleys.
Apr–Aug
Linnet
Linaria cannabinaLC
An uncommon resident of open farmland, heathland, and scrubby margins. Forms sociable flocks outside the breeding season.
Year-round
Little Egret
Egretta garzettaLC
An uncommon but increasing resident at wetlands and river margins. A relatively recent colonist now seen year-round.
Year-round
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollisLC
A resident of sheltered ponds, canals and slow rivers, often betrayed by its distinctive whinnying trill before it is seen.
Year-round
Little Gull
Hydrocoloeus minutusLC
A rare spring passage visitor, occasionally seen over reservoirs in April and May. Its buoyant, tern-like flight is distinctive among the gulls.
Apr–May
Little Owl
Athene noctuaLC
An uncommon resident favouring old farmland with stone walls and barns. Often spotted perched on posts in the Pennine fringe and lowland pastures.
Year-round
Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubiusLC
An uncommon summer breeder favouring gravel pits, reservoir edges and brownfield sites. Arrives in March and departs by September.
Mar–Sep
Little Stint
Calidris minutaLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally appearing at reservoir edges and muddy scrapes in August and September alongside other small waders.
Aug–Sep
Long-eared Owl
Asio otusLC
A secretive and rarely encountered resident, roosting in dense conifer plantations and hunting over moorland edges.
Mar–Dec
Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalisVU
A rare winter visitor, occasionally turning up on exposed reservoirs in the Pennine fringes during harsh cold spells, typically in January.
Jan
Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalos caudatusLC
A common resident, easily spotted in noisy family flocks moving through hedgerows, woodland edges, and suburban gardens throughout the year.
Year-round