Gulls & Terns in Kent

14 species matching this filter.

All birds in KentView family page

Kent's extensive coastline, estuaries, and marshlands make it one of the finest counties in England for observing gulls and terns. With 14 species recorded, birdwatchers can enjoy everything from the ubiquitous European Herring Gull along the seafront to scarcer visitors such as Glaucous Gull and Iceland Gull in winter. The county's key sites, including the Thames Estuary, Dungeness, and Pegwell Bay, provide vital feeding and breeding grounds for species like the Common Tern, Kittiwake, and the elegant Arctic Tern on passage.

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)8 year-round residents
Arctic Tern

Arctic Tern

Sterna paradisaeaLC

A rare breeder in Kent, mainly seen on coastal passage from April to November. Best spotted from seawatching points like Dungeness.

Apr–Nov

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

Black Tern

Chlidonias nigerLC

A rare passage migrant, seen dipping over lakes and reservoirs in spring and late summer. Dungeness and Stodmarsh are favoured stopover sites.

May–Sep

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

Common Gull

Larus canusLC

Present year-round on farmland, playing fields, and coasts. Numbers swell 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

A common summer breeder at coastal and gravel-pit sites from April to October. Breeds at Dungeness and along the Medway.

Apr–Oct

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

European Herring Gull

Larus argentatusLC

A common and familiar gull found year-round along the coast, in towns, and at landfill sites across Kent.

Year-round

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

Glaucous Gull

Larus hyperboreusLC

A rare Arctic gull, occasionally recorded in March among winter gull roosts at coastal and reservoir sites.

Mar

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

Great Black-backed Gull

Larus marinusLC

A bulky resident gull found along the coast and at reservoirs year-round. Often dominates other gulls at feeding sites.

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 turning up at harbours or among gull flocks in March.

Mar

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

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Kittiwake

Kittiwake

Rissa tridactylaVU

An uncommon year-round presence offshore, sometimes seen from coastal headlands. UK breeding populations are in steep decline.

Year-round

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

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscusLC

A common resident found at landfill sites, reservoirs and along the coast. Numbers peak in summer but present throughout the year.

Year-round

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

Little Gull

Hydrocoloeus minutusLC

A rare but year-round presence, most often seen offshore or at coastal marshes. Dainty and buoyant, picking food from the water's surface.

Year-round

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

Little Tern

Sternula albifronsLC

A rare breeding summer visitor to shingle beaches, present from April to September. A Schedule 1 species needing protected nesting sites.

Apr–Sep

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

Sandwich Tern

Thalasseus sandvicensisLC

Present along the coast from March to December, plunge-diving for fish. Breeds at key colonies and is a familiar sight off Pegwell Bay.

Mar–Dec

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

Yellow-legged Gull

Larus michahellisLC

A rare year-round resident, most frequently noted in late summer. Best looked for among Herring Gull flocks along the coast.

Year-round

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

Frequently Asked Questions