Gulls & Terns in Rutland
17 species matching this filter.
Rutland, England's smallest county, punches well above its weight when it comes to gulls and terns, with 15 species recorded. Rutland Water, one of the largest reservoirs in Europe, serves as a magnet for these waterbirds, attracting passage migrants such as Arctic Tern and Black Tern alongside more familiar species like Lesser Black-backed Gull and European Herring Gull. Scarcer visitors including Glaucous Gull and Iceland Gull add excitement for keen birders during the winter months.
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
An uncommon breeder at Rutland Water, present from April to September. Often seen plunge-diving over the reservoir's open water.
Apr–Sep
Black Tern
Chlidonias nigerLC
Breeds in small numbers at Rutland Water from April to September, favouring the lagoons and shallow bays of the reservoir.
Apr–Sep
Bonaparte's Gull
Chroicocephalus philadelphiaLC
An exceptionally rare Nearctic gull, with April records at Rutland Water making any sighting a prized find for local birders.
Apr
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
A common resident, present year-round at Rutland Water and surrounding farmland. Numbers increase in winter when birds from northern Europe arrive.
Year-round
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
A common breeding visitor from April to October, nesting on specially provided rafts at Rutland Water. A graceful sight diving for fish across the reservoir.
Apr–Oct
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
Present year-round at Rutland Water and surrounding farmland, often seen loafing on fields or scavenging near the reservoir.
Year-round
Glaucous Gull
Larus hyperboreusLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally appearing in Rutland Water's large gull roosts from November to February. An impressive, bulky Arctic gull.
Nov–Feb
Great Black-backed Gull
Larus marinusLC
A bulky, imposing gull present all year at Rutland Water, often dominating other species at roost sites on the reservoir.
Year-round
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Iceland Gull
Larus glaucoidesLC
A rare passage visitor, very occasionally recorded in late winter among Rutland Water's gull flocks. Requires careful separation from Glaucous Gull.
Feb
Kittiwake
Rissa tridactylaVU
This pelagic gull is a rare inland visitor, occasionally storm-driven to Rutland Water during spring passage from March to May.
Mar–May
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscusLC
Common year-round at Rutland Water, with large roosts forming on the reservoir. Numbers peak during passage and winter months.
Year-round
Little Gull
Hydrocoloeus minutusLC
An uncommon visitor from March to November, daintily picking insects from Rutland Water's surface. The smallest gull species seen in the region.
Mar–Nov
Little Tern
Sternula albifronsLC
A rare breeding visitor from April to July, occasionally nesting at Rutland Water. This delicate tern is one of the UK's rarest breeding seabirds.
Apr–Jul
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensisLC
A rare North American gull occasionally recorded at Rutland Water in April, typically found among flocks of common gulls.
Apr
Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensisLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally spotted at Rutland Water in April and August during spring and autumn migration.
Apr–Aug
White-winged Tern
Chlidonias leucopterusLC
A rare passage migrant, very occasionally seen hawking over Rutland Water's lagoons in May or August. A striking marsh tern and a prized sighting.
May–Aug
Yellow-legged Gull
Larus michahellisLC
An uncommon but year-round resident, best picked out among gull flocks at Rutland Water by its bright yellow legs.
Year-round