Gulls & Terns in Nottinghamshire

9 species matching this filter.

All birds in NottinghamshireView family page

Nottinghamshire may be an inland 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 like the Lesser Black-backed Gull and European Herring Gull to passage migrants such as the Arctic Tern and the elegant Black Tern. Key sites including Attenborough Nature Reserve and the Idle Valley provide excellent opportunities to observe these birds, particularly during spring and autumn migration.

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 in April and May, occasionally seen over gravel pits and reservoirs heading 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 in spring and autumn, hawking insects over gravel pits and reservoirs. A graceful sight at Attenborough or Langford Lowfields.

Apr–Sep

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

Common Gull

Larus canusLC

An uncommon resident found on playing fields, reservoirs and farmland, with numbers boosted in winter by continental visitors.

Jul–May

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

Common Tern

Sterna hirundoLC

A common breeding visitor from April to September, nesting on rafts and islands at gravel pits along the Trent Valley.

Apr–Sep

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

European Herring Gull

Larus argentatusLC

Present year-round at landfill sites, reservoirs and urban rooftops, though nationally declining as a breeding species.

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 year-round resident, seen at reservoirs, landfill sites and gravel pits, often loafing among other large gulls.

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 seen year-round at reservoirs, tips, and playing fields. Numbers peak in late summer when post-breeding flocks gather.

Year-round

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

Little Gull

Hydrocoloeus minutusLC

A rare spring passage visitor in April, occasionally seen over reservoirs and larger gravel pits in the Trent Valley.

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 breeder recorded from May to July, sometimes nesting among large gull colonies at reservoirs and gravel pits.

Jun–Jan

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

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