Gulls & Terns in Northamptonshire

9 species matching this filter.

All birds in NorthamptonshireView family page

Northamptonshire may be a landlocked county, but its reservoirs, gravel pits and river valleys attract a surprising variety of gulls and terns throughout the year. Nine species have been recorded, ranging from familiar residents such as the Lesser Black-backed Gull and European Herring Gull to passage visitors like the Arctic Tern and the elegant Black Tern. Key sites including Pitsford Reservoir, Daventry Reservoir and the Nene Valley provide important feeding and roosting habitat for these waterbirds.

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)4 year-round residents
Arctic Tern

Arctic Tern

Sterna paradisaeaLC

A rare spring passage migrant in April and May, occasionally dropping in at reservoirs and gravel pits en route north.

Apr–May

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

Black Tern

Chlidonias nigerLC

A rare passage migrant seen at reservoirs and gravel pits, mainly in May and again in late summer on return migration.

May–Sep

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

Common Gull

Larus canusLC

An uncommon resident, most numerous in winter on playing fields and reservoirs. Scarcer in summer than other gulls.

Jul–May

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

Common Tern

Sterna hirundoLC

A common breeding summer visitor nesting at gravel pits and reservoirs such as Pitsford and Daventry, arriving from April.

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 presence at reservoirs, landfill sites and town centres across the county, often gathering in large winter roosts.

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 resident found year-round at large reservoirs and landfill sites, often joining winter gull roosts in good numbers.

Jul–May

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 at reservoirs, landfill sites and farmland. Numbers peak in late 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 passage gull occasionally seen over reservoirs and gravel pits in April.

Apr

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

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Yellow-legged Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Larus michahellisLC

A rare but year-round visitor to reservoirs and tips, most often picked out among flocks of other large gulls.

Apr

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Gulls & Terns in Northamptonshire | Birdfact