Gulls & Terns in Rutland

15 species matching this filter.

All birds in RutlandView family page

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.

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)5 year-round residents
Arctic Tern

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

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

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

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

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

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 October, nesting on specially provided rafts at Rutland Water. A graceful sight diving for fish across the reservoir.

Apr–Oct

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Kittiwake

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Ring-billed Gull

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

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

Sandwich Tern

Thalasseus sandvicensisLC

A rare passage visitor, occasionally spotted at Rutland Water in April and August during spring and autumn migration.

Apr–Aug

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

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions