Birds in South Yorkshire
Explore 189 species found in this region.
South Yorkshire supports an impressive diversity of birdlife, with 187 species recorded across its varied landscapes of moorland, river valleys, wetlands, and urban green spaces. From the upland edges of the Peak District to the lowland marshes of the Dearne Valley, birders can encounter everything from Dotterel on high moorland passes to Northern Lapwing on farmland and Mandarin Duck along wooded waterways. Notable species such as Common Merganser, Eurasian Woodcock, and Northern Pintail reflect the county's rich mosaic of aquatic and terrestrial habitats.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Bar-tailed Godwit arriving this month, and Eurasian Woodcock and Hen Harrier depart for the season.
Showing 1–23 of 189 species
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
A rare spring passage migrant in April and May, occasionally seen over reservoirs. Most birds pass through quickly heading to northern colonies.
Apr–May
Avocet
Recurvirostra avosettaLC
Breeds at key wetland reserves in the Dearne Valley, its elegant upswept bill a striking sight on shallow scrapes.
Feb–Oct
Bar-tailed Godwit
Limosa lapponicaNT
A rare spring passage visitor, occasionally noted at wetland sites in April. Primarily a coastal species, so inland records are noteworthy.
Apr
Barn Owl
Tyto albaLC
A rare but resident species hunting over rough grassland and farmland, mainly in the lowland east. Best spotted at dusk quartering fields silently.
Year-round
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A common summer visitor from April to October, nesting in barns and outbuildings across farmland. Numbers have declined nationally.
Apr–Oct
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
A rare passage visitor, with occasional birds appearing among feral flocks. Origins of sightings can be difficult to determine.
Feb–Jul
Bearded Tit
Panurus biarmicusLC
A rare resident confined to extensive reedbeds such as those at Old Moor RSPB. Listen for distinctive pinging calls among the reed stems.
Year-round
Black Redstart
Phoenicurus ochrurosLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded around industrial sites and urban buildings in December. Always a notable sighting.
Dec
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Black Swan
Cygnus atratusLC
A rare May visitor, most likely an escapee from captive collections rather than a genuine wild vagrant from Australasia.
May
Black Tern
Chlidonias nigerLC
A rare passage migrant in spring and autumn, occasionally hawking insects over reservoirs and larger wetlands.
May–Sep
Black-necked Grebe
Podiceps nigricollisLC
A rare breeding species, nesting at select wetland sites from April to August. South Yorkshire is one of few English strongholds.
Apr–Aug
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosaNT
Breeds on wet grasslands in the Dearne Valley, a regional conservation success story, present from March to November.
Mar–Nov
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
A familiar year-round resident found in gardens, parks, and woodlands across the region. One of South Yorkshire's most abundant and recognisable songbirds.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
An uncommon year-round resident of woodland and mature gardens. Winter birds from central Europe supplement the breeding population at garden feeders.
Year-round
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
A common and much-loved garden resident, readily using nest boxes. Present year-round in woodlands, parks and hedgerows.
Year-round
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulusLC
A rare and irruptive winter visitor, sometimes appearing in flocks in urban areas to feed on rowan berries, mainly in November to January.
Nov–Jan
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
A rare winter visitor from Scandinavia, sometimes joining Chaffinch flocks at woodland edges and beneath beech trees from October to April.
Oct–Apr
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of hedgerows, orchards, and woodland edges. Shy and unobtrusive, often detected by its soft piping call.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
A common resident, frequently seen soaring over farmland, moorland fringes, and woodland throughout the year.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common and widespread resident of parks, lakes and rivers. Large moulting flocks gather on open water in summer.
Year-round
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
A common and adaptable resident seen across all habitats from city centres to upland pastures throughout the year.
Year-round
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibisLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally seen in August around livestock fields and wetland margins as the species expands its UK range.
Aug
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, heard more than seen in dense reedbed and scrub at wetland sites such as Old Moor and Potteric Carr.
Year-round