Gulls & Terns in East Sussex

14 species matching this filter.

All birds in East SussexView family page

East Sussex offers excellent opportunities to observe gulls and terns, with 14 species recorded across the county's diverse coastal and inland habitats. The dramatic chalk cliffs at Beachy Head, the shingle expanses of Rye Harbour, and the sheltered waters of Cuckmere Haven attract everything from the ubiquitous European Herring Gull to scarcer visitors such as the Iceland Gull and Little Gull. Breeding colonies of Common Terns and Kittiwakes add seasonal spectacle, while passage migrants like the Arctic Tern and Black Tern pass through during spring and autumn.

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

A rare spring passage migrant seen offshore during seawatches in April and May, often mixed with Common Tern flocks.

Apr–May

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

Black Tern

Chlidonias nigerLC

A rare passage visitor in May and September, occasionally seen hawking over coastal lagoons and reservoirs such as Arlington or Bewl Water.

May–Sep

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

Common Gull

Larus canusLC

Present year-round but uncommon, frequenting playing fields, reservoirs and the coast. Numbers increase in winter with Continental arrivals.

Year-round

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

Common Tern

Sterna hirundoLC

An uncommon breeding visitor from April to September, nesting at coastal sites and feeding over inshore waters and gravel pits.

Apr–Sep

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

European Herring Gull

Larus argentatusLC

A familiar and noisy presence in coastal towns like Brighton and Hastings. Breeds on rooftops and cliffs, scavenging boldly year-round.

Year-round

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

Great Black-backed Gull

Larus marinusLC

A common and imposing resident of the coast, often seen on beaches, harbour walls, and at gull roosts throughout the year.

Year-round

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

Iceland Gull

Larus glaucoidesLC

A rare late-winter visitor, occasionally found among gull flocks at coastal roosts. Most records fall in March.

Mar

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

Kittiwake

Rissa tridactylaVU

Scarce year-round, most often seen offshore or at coastal roosts. Once bred on nearby cliffs but has declined dramatically across the UK.

Year-round

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

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Lesser Black-backed Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscusLC

A common year-round resident seen along the coast, at landfill sites, and increasingly inland. Numbers peak in summer and autumn.

Year-round

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

Little Gull

Hydrocoloeus minutusLC

A dainty, rare gull seen on passage and in winter, often at coastal lagoons. Spring and autumn movements bring occasional sightings offshore.

Sep–May

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

Little Tern

Sternula albifronsLC

An uncommon summer breeder nesting on shingle beaches. Colonies at Rye Harbour are carefully protected from disturbance.

Apr–Aug

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

Roseate Tern

Sterna dougalliiLC

A rare passage visitor, occasionally glimpsed offshore in July among commoner tern flocks moving along the Sussex coast.

Jul

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

Sandwich Tern

Thalasseus sandvicensisLC

An uncommon breeding visitor arriving in March, nesting at coastal shingle sites like Rye Harbour before departing by October.

Mar–Oct

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

Yellow-legged Gull

Larus michahellisLC

A rare but increasingly regular resident, found among large gull gatherings at roosts and along the coast almost year-round.

Jun–Apr

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Gulls & Terns in East Sussex | Birdfact