Birds in Northumberland
Explore 230 species found in this region.
Northumberland is one of England's most rewarding counties for birdwatching, with 218 recorded species found across its diverse landscapes of rugged coastline, upland moors, ancient woodlands, and estuarine mudflats. From the Farne Islands' famous seabird colonies to the high Cheviot Hills where Dotterel and Horned Lark breed, the county offers exceptional birding throughout the year. Notable species include Great Grey Shrike on winter heathlands, Eurasian Woodcock in dense woodland, and the striking Mandarin Duck along sheltered river valleys.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Barn Swallow arriving this month, and Arctic Loon and Cackling Goose depart for the season.
Showing 1–23 of 230 species
Arctic Jaeger
Stercorarius parasiticusLC
Seen offshore from June to October, harrying terns and gulls. Seawatching from headlands like Newbiggin or St Mary's offers the best views.
Jun–Oct
Arctic Loon
Gavia arcticaLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to coastal waters and larger inland lochs from autumn through early spring. Often seen singly offshore.
Sep–Mar
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
Breeds on the Farne Islands and at Coquet Island in notable colonies. Present from April to October before migrating to Antarctic waters.
Apr–Oct
Atlantic Puffin
Fratercula arcticaVU
Breeds in burrows on the Farne Islands, one of England's most iconic colonies. Present from spring through autumn, delighting boat-trip visitors.
Mar–Dec
Avocet
Recurvirostra avosettaLC
An uncommon breeding visitor arriving from February, favouring shallow coastal lagoons. Part of a northward range expansion in recent decades.
Feb–Sep
Bar-tailed Godwit
Limosa lapponicaNT
Found year-round on coastal mudflats and estuaries such as Lindisfarne. Numbers peak in winter when Arctic-breeding birds arrive on passage.
Year-round
Barn Owl
Tyto albaLC
A rare but year-round resident, hunting over rough grassland and farmland. Nest boxes have aided its presence in the county.
Year-round
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A common summer visitor from April to October, nesting in barns and outbuildings across rural Northumberland. A welcome sign of spring.
Apr–Oct
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Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
Small numbers linger year-round, but the Svalbard population winters spectacularly on Lindisfarne's mudflats in their thousands.
Sep–Jul
Black Guillemot
Cepphus grylleLC
A rare passage visitor in November, occasionally seen close inshore. More typical of Scottish waters, it is an unusual but exciting find off Northumberland.
Nov
Black Redstart
Phoenicurus ochrurosLC
A rare and elusive visitor, occasionally spotted around coastal buildings and industrial sites, mainly during passage periods.
Oct–Apr
Black Tern
Chlidonias nigerLC
A rare breeding-season visitor, occasionally seen hawking insects over inland lakes and coastal pools from May to September.
May–Sep
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosaNT
Present year-round in small numbers on coastal estuaries and wet grasslands, with peak counts during autumn passage.
Year-round
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
A common resident of gardens, hedgerows, and woodland. Numbers are boosted in autumn by Continental migrants arriving on the coast.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
An uncommon breeder in mature woodland and hedgerows. Some linger into late autumn, with occasional wintering birds at garden feeders.
Apr–Nov
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
An abundant and familiar resident of gardens, hedgerows, and woodlands year-round, readily visiting feeders even in the coldest months.
Year-round
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulusLC
A rare winter irruptive visitor from Scandinavia, descending on berry-laden trees in towns and gardens during invasion years.
Nov–Jan
Bonaparte's Gull
Chroicocephalus philadelphiaLC
A rare Nearctic vagrant, occasionally recorded along the Northumberland coast in November. A prized find among local birders.
Nov
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A rare winter visitor from Scandinavia, occasionally joining Chaffinch flocks in beech woodland and around farmland feeding stations.
Sep–Apr
Brent Goose
Branta berniclaLC
An uncommon winter visitor to Northumberland's estuaries and coastal mudflats, with dark-bellied birds grazing on eelgrass and algae from autumn through spring.
Aug–Apr
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Calidris subruficollisVU
A rare Nearctic wader appearing briefly in September, typically on short coastal turf or ploughed fields around Druridge Bay pools.
Sep
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
A shy, year-round resident of hedgerows, woodland edges, and mature gardens. Its soft piping call is often heard before the bird is seen.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, soaring over farmland, moorland edges and wooded valleys throughout the year.
Year-round