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 139–161 of 185 species
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellataLC
A rare passage visitor, very occasionally recorded over reservoirs in November, far from its usual coastal haunts.
Nov
Redshank
Tringa totanusLC
An uncommon resident of upland wet meadows and moorland edges, its loud piping call is a familiar sound. Numbers have declined significantly across the region.
Year-round
Redwing
Turdus iliacusNT
A winter visitor from Scandinavia, feeding on berries in hedgerows and parkland. Often detected by its thin "tseep" call on autumn nights overhead.
Oct–Apr
Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclusLC
A common resident of reedbeds, marshes, and damp scrubby margins. Males sing from prominent reed stems in spring.
Year-round
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatusLC
A rare spring passage migrant, pausing briefly on Pennine moorland edges in April. The upland crags west of the region offer the best chances.
Apr
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
An uncommon breeding visitor, nesting on gravel shores of reservoirs and river shingle beds from spring through early autumn.
Mar–Sep
Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
Abundant year-round in towns and cities including Leeds, Bradford and Huddersfield. Feral populations thrive around buildings and urban open spaces.
Year-round
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
An uncommon resident nesting colonially in tall trees near farmland. Rookeries are a familiar sight in the region's lowland agricultural areas.
Year-round
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Rose-ringed Parakeet
Alexandrinus krameriLC
A rare resident, with small numbers establishing around urban areas. Part of a slow northward spread from established southern populations.
Year-round
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensisLC
Now extremely rare following the national eradication programme. Occasional sightings still occur on lowland lakes and reservoirs in the region.
Sep–May
Ruddy Shelduck
Tadorna ferrugineaLC
A rare midsummer vagrant, with occasional July records likely involving escaped or wandering birds from continental Europe.
Jul
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpresLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally turning up at reservoirs in May. This coastal wader is an unusual inland find in West Yorkshire.
May
Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
An uncommon autumn passage migrant visiting muddy reservoir margins and flooded fields, mainly in August to October with a smaller spring passage.
May–Oct
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
An uncommon summer visitor breeding in sandy riverbanks and quarry faces. Often seen hawking insects over reservoirs and the Aire and Calder valleys.
Mar–Sep
Sanderling
Calidris albaLC
A rare inland passage migrant in May, sometimes pausing at reservoir edges despite being primarily a coastal species.
May
Scarlet Tanager
Piranga olivaceaLC
An exceptional Nearctic vagrant, recorded in November. One of the rarest birds on the West Yorkshire list.
Nov
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
An uncommon summer breeder found in reedbeds and waterside scrub at sites like Fairburn Ings, present from April to September.
Apr–Sep
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeusLC
A rare resident of upland moorland, most likely seen hunting low over the Pennine moors in winter and during the breeding season.
Nov–Jun
Smew
Mergellus albellusLC
A rare midwinter visitor, occasionally appearing on reservoirs and lakes in January and February, often driven west by severe continental weather.
Jan–Feb
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelosLC
A common resident of gardens, parks, and woodland. Smashes snails on favourite stone anvils and sings from prominent perches.
Year-round
Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLC
An uncommon but widespread resident, hunting small birds in woodlands, parks and gardens. Often seen dashing low along hedgerows in surprise attacks.
Year-round
Spotted Crake
Porzana porzanaLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally recorded in August at marshy wetland sites with dense vegetation.
Aug
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striataLC
A rare and declining summer breeder from May to September, sallying for insects from exposed perches in open woodland and parkland.
May–Sep