Gulls & Terns in East Riding of Yorkshire

13 species matching this filter.

All birds in East Riding of YorkshireView family page

The East Riding of Yorkshire offers exceptional opportunities to observe gulls and terns, with 13 species recorded across its diverse coastal and inland habitats. The dramatic chalk cliffs of Bempton and Flamborough Head host breeding Kittiwakes in impressive numbers, while the Spurn Point peninsula and the Humber Estuary attract passage migrants such as Arctic Tern, Black Tern, and Little Gull. Scarcer breeders like the Little Tern can be found nesting on shingle beaches, making this region one of the finest in northern England for larid diversity.

Little Tern
Little TernSmallest · 21cm
to
Great Black-backed Gull
Great Black-backed GullLargest · 79cm
Ranges from the Little Tern (21cm) to the Great Black-backed Gull (79cm)7 year-round residents
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.

Apr–Oct

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.

Aug–Sep

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

Common Gull

Larus canusLC

Present year-round on farmland, estuaries, and playing fields. Numbers swell in winter with arrivals from Scandinavia and the continent.

Year-round

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

Common Tern

Sterna hirundoLC

An uncommon summer breeder, nesting at gravel pits and the Humber Estuary. Present from April to October on passage and breeding.

Apr–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
European Herring Gull

European Herring Gull

Larus argentatusLC

Abundant year-round along the coast and inland. Breeds on cliffs at Flamborough and on rooftops in towns like Bridlington.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Great Black-backed Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Larus marinusLC

The largest resident gull, common along the coast and Humber Estuary year-round. Often dominates other gulls at feeding sites.

Year-round

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

Kittiwake

Rissa tridactylaVU

Breeds in large colonies on the dramatic chalk cliffs at Bempton and Flamborough Head, a spectacular sight from spring through summer.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Lesser Black-backed Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscusLC

Common throughout the year, frequenting farmland, landfill sites, and the Humber Estuary. Peak numbers occur during summer breeding season.

Year-round

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

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Little Gull

Little Gull

Hydrocoloeus minutusLC

An uncommon but regular visitor to the Humber Estuary and coastal waters, most often seen on passage from spring through autumn.

Mar–Dec

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

Little Tern

Sternula albifronsLC

A scarce summer breeder on shingle beaches along the Holderness coast. Vulnerable to disturbance and habitat loss from coastal erosion.

Apr–Sep

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

Roseate Tern

Sterna dougalliiLC

A rare passage visitor in July and August, occasionally seen among other tern flocks at Spurn Point and along the Holderness coast.

Jul–Aug

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

Sandwich Tern

Thalasseus sandvicensisLC

The commonest breeding tern in the region, nesting at Spurn and along the coast. Noisy flocks plunge-dive offshore from spring to autumn.

Apr–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Yellow-legged Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Larus michahellisLC

Scarce but increasingly recorded, mainly in late summer and autumn. Look among Herring Gull flocks at the Humber Estuary and coastal tips.

Year-round

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

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