Birds in Durham
Explore 199 species found in this region.
Durham is a richly diverse county for birdwatching, with 197 recorded species found across its varied landscapes of upland moorland, river valleys, coastal stretches, and ancient woodlands. From the striking Northern Lapwing displaying over farmland to the elusive Eurasian Woodcock in dense woodland, the county offers rewarding birding throughout the year. Notable species include the colourful Mandarin Duck along wooded waterways, Common Merganser on the River Wear, and Horned Lark on the high Pennine tops.
Visiting in April? Look out for Barn Swallow and Common Redstart arriving this month, and Bar-tailed Godwit and Common Scoter depart for the season.
Showing 1–23 of 199 species
Arctic Jaeger
Stercorarius parasiticusLC
A rare passage migrant seen offshore from Durham's coast in late summer and autumn, often harassing terns and gulls for food.
Jul–Oct
Arctic Loon
Gavia arcticaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor in winter months, occasionally seen offshore or on larger reservoirs. Scarcer than Red-throated Loon.
Oct–Feb
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
A rare passage migrant from July to September, seen offshore during autumn seawatches. Breeds further north on the Farne Islands.
Jul–Sep
Atlantic Puffin
Fratercula arcticaVU
Rarely seen offshore in June, occasionally passing Durham's coast. The nearest breeding colonies lie further north on the Farne Islands.
Jun
Avocet
Recurvirostra avosettaLC
A rare breeding visitor, part of the species' northward expansion. Present at coastal wetlands from late winter through autumn.
Feb–Oct
Bar-tailed Godwit
Limosa lapponicaNT
A rare non-breeding visitor to the Durham coast, mainly seen on passage at estuaries and rocky shores outside the summer months.
Jul–Mar
Barn Owl
Tyto albaLC
A rare but year-round resident, hunting over rough grassland and farmland. Ghostly white form sometimes seen at dusk along country lanes.
Year-round
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A common summer breeder from April to October, nesting in farm buildings and barns across rural Durham.
Apr–Oct
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Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
A rare passage visitor recorded in February and October. Most sightings likely involve wild birds from the Svalbard population.
Oct–Feb
Black Grouse
Lyrurus tetrixLC
A rare and declining resident of moorland edges and rough pasture in the Durham dales. Males display at traditional lek sites in spring.
Year-round
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosaNT
A rare year-round visitor to Durham's wetlands and coastal mudflats. Numbers have increased nationally but sightings here remain scarce.
Jun–Apr
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
One of Durham's most familiar garden birds, resident year-round. Continental migrants bolster numbers in autumn and winter.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
An uncommon breeder in mature woodland and tall scrub from spring through autumn. Some overwinter, visiting garden feeders for fruit and berries.
Mar–Oct
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
An abundant and familiar garden resident year-round, also thriving in woodland, hedgerows, and parks across the county.
Year-round
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulusLC
An irruptive winter visitor, occasionally descending on Durham's berry-laden trees in towns during cold spells from December to February.
Dec–Feb
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A rare winter visitor from Scandinavia, sometimes joining chaffinch flocks at woodland edges and farmland from October to April.
Oct–Apr
Brent Goose
Branta berniclaLC
A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally seen along the Durham coast between September and November.
Sep–Nov
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of Durham's hedgerows and woodland edges, often betrayed by its soft, piping call.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
An uncommon year-round resident, often seen soaring over farmland and woodland. Numbers have increased significantly in recent decades.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
An uncommon but well-established resident on lakes, rivers and park ponds throughout the county year-round.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
A common and adaptable resident found across all habitats from urban centres to upland pastures throughout the year.
Year-round
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibisLC
A rare autumn passage visitor reflecting the species' recent northward expansion in Britain. Typically found near livestock in lowland pastures.
Oct
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common and familiar resident of Durham's woodlands, hedgerows, and gardens, with a bold, ringing song heard year-round.
Year-round