Birdwatching in East Yorkshire is traditionally confined to the well known coastal sites such as Spurn and Flamborough. However, with good populations of farmland species, many of which have become scarce in much of the country, there is much more to east Yorkshire than just coastal sites.

Most of the county is intensively farmed, but the abundance of drainage ditches and damp patches means that good numbers of birds survive and the county's location on the east of the country make it a migration hotspot.

Here is some basic information about some of the best sites and links to other sources of information.

Bird Watching in East Yorkshire, the Humber and Teesmouth

Collins Bird Guide: The Most Complete Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe

Where to Watch Birds in Yorkshire

1. Spurn Point - Spurn is one of the premier migration hotspots in the country and home to an active bird observatory as well as being a national nature reserve. Although autumn is the time that large numbers of incoming migrants such as Redwings, Bramblings and Goldcrests arrive, many birdwatchers head to Spurn at this time of year for the rarities that always turn up. Good numbers of departing migrants can be seen stocking up on food here and this can be the last chance to see birds such as Blackcap, Pied Flycatcher, Garden Warbler and Chiffchaff before they leave for the winter.

The winter sees huge flocks of shorebirds on the Humber with Knot, Bar-tailed Godwit, Oystercatcher, Redshank and Dunlin very numerous; Short-eared Owls and Pink-footed Geese can be found inland.

The spring is also a good time to see arriving migrants with Pied and Spotted Flycatchers passing through, along with good numbers of all the other common migrants. It is an excellent place to find arriving Ring Ouzels. Fewer rare migrants show up in spring than in autumn, but a number of good species are seen every year and throughout the summer, when continental species sometimes overshoot.

The farmland on the cliff tops is a good place to look for Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Linnet in the summer and Snow Buntings in winter with the occasional Shorelark and Lapland Bunting.

4. Hornsea Mere - Most certainly the top location in the UK for Little Gull with as many as 5000 present in late summer/early autumn. Good numbers of other waterbirds occur here with breeding Reed Warbler, Cormorant and Grey Heron and good numbers of winter wildfowl which can sometimes include rarities. Large groups of Mute Swan congregate here at certain times of the year and in winter Whooper Swans and Pink-footed Geese are present.

There is also some good quality woodland here with species such as Goldcrest, Coal Tit and Treecreeper.

6. High Eske/Pulfin Fen - This small patch of fen alongside the River Hull, together with an old borrows pit is home to a good number of species and a number of interesting migrants pass through in spring and autumn in small numbers. Garganey, Little Gull, Greenshank, Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper and Whimbrel all pass through this site and in winter it is home to flocks of wildfowl with species such as Slavonian Grebe, Whooper Swan and Goldeneye often being seen.

7. Tophill Low - Owned by The Yorkshire Water Authority, this series of reservoirs and pools next to the River Hull is a popular place for observing winter wildfowl with large numbers of Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Shoveler, Teal, and other species with uncommon species frequently being found, including regular wintering Smew.

The autumn migratory period is a good time to find birds such as Ruff, Green Sandpiper and occasionally rarer species, and some good quality woodland is excellent all year round for finches, Coal Tit and Marsh Tit, Treecreeper and other common woodland birds

10. Welton Waters - A large boating lake and some fishing lakes along with Brough Airfield right alongside the Humber provide a good variety of habitats which attract a large selection of species. In spring large numbers of Willow Warblers, Blackcaps, Reed Warblers and Sedge Warblers sing with Bullfinch and Willow Tit breeding in the woodland patches.In winter good numbers of wildfowl are present and species such as Smew, Goldeneye, Long-tailed Duck and Goosander have all made appearances.

The marshy pools on Brough Airfield also attract wildfowl and waders, with Marsh Harriers hunting in the area throughout the year. Golden Plover and Lapwings form huge winter flocks with Skylark and Meadow Pipits performing their songs in the summer.

11. Blacktoft Sands - This RSPB reserve protects one of the largest reedbeds in the area and is home to Bearded Tit and Bittern throughout the year. Avocet can often be found at Blacktoft and Marsh Harriers breed in the reedbeds. Hen Harriers are an interesting winter migrant here along with good numbers of Wildfowl. Grasshoppper Warbler can be heard reeling in spring and this is a good site for trickle of scarce species and rarities all year round.