Birds in East Riding of Yorkshire

Explore 233 species found in this region.

The East Riding of Yorkshire supports an impressive diversity of birdlife, with around 230 species recorded across its varied landscapes. From the dramatic chalk cliffs of Flamborough Head and Bempton to the expansive wetlands of the Humber Estuary, the region offers habitats that attract everything from breeding seabird colonies to scarce migrants such as Bluethroat and Great Grey Shrike. Wading birds like Northern Lapwing and Dotterel, along with coastal specialists such as Common Shelduck, make this county a rewarding destination for birdwatchers year-round.

Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Barn Swallow arriving this month, and Bearded Tit and Greater White-fronted Goose depart for the season.

Goldcrest
GoldcrestSmallest · 8.5cm
to
Whooper Swan
Whooper SwanLargest · 165cm
Ranges from the Goldcrest (8.5cm) to the Whooper Swan (165cm)57 families represented

Showing 1–23 of 233 species

ResidentLives here year-roundBreedingVisits to breed in warmer monthsNon-breedingVisits outside breeding seasonPassagePasses through during migrationCommonly spottedReported on most outingsUncommonly spottedPresent but not always seenRarely spottedFew sightings each year
Aquatic Warbler

Aquatic Warbler

Acrocephalus paludicolaVU

An extremely rare passage migrant, with occasional June records likely involving overshooting spring migrants at coastal wetland sites.

PassageRarely spotted

Jun

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Arctic Jaeger

Arctic Jaeger

Stercorarius parasiticusLC

An uncommon but regular sight offshore from summer through autumn, harassing terns and gulls. Best seen from Flamborough and Spurn.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Jun–Nov

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Arctic Loon

Arctic Loon

Gavia arcticaLC

A rare passage visitor in late autumn, occasionally spotted offshore at seawatching sites such as Flamborough and Spurn.

PassageRarely spotted

Nov–Dec

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Arctic Tern

Arctic Tern

Sterna paradisaeaLC

Breeds in small numbers at coastal colonies from April. Passage birds are seen offshore at Flamborough and Spurn into autumn.

BreedingUncommonly spotted

Apr–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Atlantic Puffin

Atlantic Puffin

Fratercula arcticaVU

Breeds on the Flamborough and Bempton cliffs from spring, with birds visible offshore into autumn. A much-loved sight at the colony.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Mar–Dec

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Avocet

Avocet

Recurvirostra avosettaLC

An uncommon but iconic resident, breeding at key Humber estuary sites. Elegant black-and-white waders that sweep their upturned bills through shallow water.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Jan–Nov

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Bar-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit

Limosa lapponicaNT

An uncommon wader of the Humber estuary and Spurn, most numerous in winter and on passage. Feeds on mudflats with its distinctive upturned bill.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Barn Owl

Barn Owl

Tyto albaLC

An uncommon year-round resident of open farmland, often hunting along field margins and roadside verges at dusk.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

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Barn Swallow

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rusticaLC

A familiar summer breeder around farmsteads and villages, arriving in April and lingering into November before its African migration.

BreedingCommonly spotted

Apr–Nov

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Barnacle Goose

Barnacle Goose

Branta leucopsisLC

A rare resident, with feral birds present year-round and occasional wild Arctic migrants in winter.

ResidentRarely spotted

Aug–Jun

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Bearded Tit

Bearded Tit

Panurus biarmicusLC

A rare but resident species, favouring extensive reedbeds at sites like Blacktoft Sands where its distinctive pinging call carries far.

ResidentRarely spotted

Mar–Jan

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Black Redstart

Black Redstart

Phoenicurus ochrurosLC

A rare but regular visitor, favouring coastal cliffs and urban structures. Recorded from spring through to late autumn at sites like Flamborough.

ResidentRarely spotted

Mar–Nov

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Black Swan

Black Swan

Cygnus atratusLC

A rare non-native vagrant, with occasional sightings likely involving escapees from wildfowl collections.

PassageRarely spotted

Oct–Jan

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Black Tern

Black Tern

Chlidonias nigerLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally seen at Hornsea Mere and coastal pools in August and September.

PassageRarely spotted

Aug–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Black-crowned Night-heron

Black-crowned Night-heron

Nycticorax nycticoraxLC

A very rare passage visitor, with occasional August records. One of the region's most sought-after vagrant herons.

PassageRarely spotted

Aug

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Black-tailed Godwit

Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa limosaNT

Present year-round, with the Humber wetlands hosting important numbers. Breeds at select sites and gathers in flocks during autumn and winter.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Blackbird

Blackbird

Turdus merulaLC

An abundant year-round resident of gardens, parks and woodland. Continental migrants boost numbers in autumn along the East Riding coast.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Blackcap

Blackcap

Sylvia atricapillaLC

An uncommon resident present all year; summer breeders are bolstered by wintering continental birds visiting garden feeders in the colder months.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Blue Tit

Blue Tit

Cyanistes caeruleusLC

A common and familiar resident throughout the East Riding, readily visiting garden feeders and nesting in boxes year-round.

ResidentCommonly spotted

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Bluethroat

Bluethroat

Luscinia svecicaLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally recorded in September at coastal migration sites such as Spurn Point and Flamborough Head.

PassageRarely spotted

Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Bohemian Waxwing

Bohemian Waxwing

Bombycilla garrulusLC

An irruptive winter visitor, arriving in variable numbers from late autumn. Flocks descend on berry-laden trees in towns and hedgerows.

PassageRarely spotted

Oct–Dec

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Brambling

Brambling

Fringilla montifringillaLC

An uncommon winter visitor from Scandinavia, often mixing with Chaffinch flocks in beech woodland and farmland stubble fields.

Non-breedingUncommonly spotted

Sep–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Brent Goose

Brent Goose

Branta berniclaLC

An uncommon but regular visitor to the Humber Estuary and coast, grazing on eelgrass and saltmarsh in winter.

ResidentUncommonly spotted

Aug–Jun

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
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