Gulls & Terns in Gloucestershire

10 species matching this filter.

All birds in GloucestershireView family page

Gloucestershire's diverse waterways, reservoirs, and proximity to the Severn Estuary make it a rewarding county for observing gulls and terns. With 10 species recorded, birders can enjoy resident species such as the European Herring Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull, alongside passage visitors like the elegant Arctic Tern and the scarce Black Tern. Notable sites including Slimbridge, the Cotswold Water Park, and the Severn Estuary provide excellent opportunities to encounter these birds throughout the year.

Black Tern
Black TernSmallest · 22cm
to
Great Black-backed Gull
Great Black-backed GullLargest · 79cm
Ranges from the Black Tern (22cm) to the Great Black-backed Gull (79cm)5 year-round residents
Arctic Tern

Arctic Tern

Sterna paradisaeaLC

A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally noted at gravel pits and reservoirs in April as birds head north to breeding grounds.

Apr

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

Black Tern

Chlidonias nigerLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, briefly appearing over lakes and reservoirs in September, often after easterly winds.

Sep

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

Common Gull

Larus canusLC

An uncommon resident seen year-round on playing fields, reservoirs and farmland. Numbers increase in winter with visiting birds from 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 on islands at Cotswold Water Park gravel pits from April to September.

Apr–Sep

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

European Herring Gull

Larus argentatusLC

A common year-round resident, regularly seen at landfill sites, reservoirs and urban rooftops across the county.

Year-round

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

Great Black-backed Gull

Larus marinusLC

An uncommon but year-round resident, seen at reservoirs, the Severn Estuary and landfill sites across the county.

Year-round

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

Kittiwake

Rissa tridactylaVU

A rare visitor, sometimes storm-driven inland to reservoirs or the Severn Estuary during winter gales.

Nov–Apr

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

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscusLC

Common year-round, frequenting landfill sites, reservoirs, and the Severn Estuary. Numbers peak in summer breeding colonies.

Year-round

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

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Little Gull

Little Gull

Hydrocoloeus minutusLC

A dainty rare passage gull seen briefly in April–May, usually over reservoirs or gravel pits in the Cotswold Water Park.

Apr–May

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

Yellow-legged Gull

Larus michahellisLC

A rare breeding gull, increasingly recorded among large gull flocks at reservoirs and landfill sites from late winter through autumn.

Jul–Dec

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

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