Gulls & Terns in England
16 species matching this filter.
England's coastlines, estuaries and inland waterways support 16 species of gulls and terns, ranging from the ubiquitous European Herring Gull to the elegant Arctic Tern, which passes through on one of the longest migrations in the animal kingdom. Coastal colonies can be found from the Farne Islands in the north-east to the shores of Cornwall, while species such as the Common Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull are familiar sights in urban areas, farmland and rubbish tips. Winter visitors like the Glaucous Gull and Iceland Gull add excitement for birdwatchers scanning harbours and fishing ports during the colder months.
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
An uncommon breeder on northern English coasts, present from April to November. Farne Islands hosts notable colonies of this long-distance migrant.
Apr–Nov
Black Tern
Chlidonias nigerLC
An uncommon passage and summer visitor to freshwater lakes and reservoirs. Most regularly seen at inland wetlands during spring and autumn migration.
Apr–Nov
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
A common gull found year-round on playing fields, reservoirs and coasts. Winter numbers swell with arrivals from Scandinavia and northern Europe.
Year-round
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
A common breeding visitor to coastal colonies and inland gravel pits from spring to early autumn. Plunge-dives for small fish.
Mar–Oct
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
A common year-round resident found along coasts, at landfill sites and increasingly in urban areas. Numbers have declined significantly in recent decades.
Year-round
Glaucous Gull
Larus hyperboreusLC
A rare winter visitor from the Arctic, appearing at harbours, landfill sites, and coastal roosts between November and March.
Nov–Mar
Great Black-backed Gull
Larus marinusLC
A common and imposing resident of coasts, harbours, and rubbish tips year-round. The largest British gull, increasingly seen inland at reservoirs and landfill sites.
Year-round
Iceland Gull
Larus glaucoidesLC
A rare winter visitor from the Arctic, typically seen at harbours and rubbish tips between November and early spring.
Nov–May
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Kittiwake
Rissa tridactylaVU
Nests on coastal cliffs, notably at Bempton and along the northeast coast. Numbers have declined sharply in recent decades due to food shortages.
Year-round
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscusLC
A common resident found year-round on coasts, landfill sites and urban rooftops. Numbers swell in summer when breeding colonies are active.
Year-round
Little Gull
Hydrocoloeus minutusLC
An uncommon but regular gull, seen year-round at reservoirs, coastal waters and estuaries. The world's smallest gull, with a buoyant flight.
Year-round
Little Tern
Sternula albifronsLC
An uncommon summer breeder on shingle and sandy beaches. Declining and heavily protected, with key colonies along the English east coast.
Apr–Sep
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensisLC
A rare Nearctic winter visitor, typically found among large gull flocks at reservoirs and coastal sites from December to April. Requires careful identification.
Dec–Apr
Roseate Tern
Sterna dougalliiLC
A rare and declining breeding tern, nesting at a handful of coastal colonies from May to September. One of the UK's scarcest seabirds.
May–Sep
Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensisLC
A common coastal tern found year-round, breeding in noisy colonies on shingle beaches and islands. Often the first tern to arrive in spring.
Year-round
Yellow-legged Gull
Larus michahellisLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, often mixed in with Herring Gull flocks. Most frequent in southern England, especially in late summer.
Year-round