Gulls & Terns in Suffolk

14 species matching this filter.

All birds in SuffolkView family page

Suffolk's extensive coastline, estuaries, and shingle beaches provide outstanding habitat for gulls and terns, with 14 species recorded across the county. The region is particularly notable for its breeding colonies of Common Terns and Little Terns along the coast, while sites such as Orfordness, Minsmere, and the Blyth Estuary attract a diverse range of species year-round. Wintering flocks of Herring Gulls and Great Black-backed Gulls are a familiar sight, and scarcer visitors such as Glaucous Gull and Black Tern add excitement for keen birders.

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)6 year-round residents
Arctic Tern

Arctic Tern

Sterna paradisaeaLC

A rare breeder in Suffolk, present from May to October at coastal shingle sites. Easily confused with Common Tern.

May–Oct

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

Black Tern

Chlidonias nigerLC

A rare passage migrant seen over coastal lagoons and reservoirs from May to September, often during easterly winds.

May–Sep

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

Common Gull

Larus canusLC

A common resident found along Suffolk's coast, farmland and towns year-round, often mixing with other gull species.

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 colonies and inland gravel pits, arriving in April. Minsmere and the Alde-Ore estuary host key sites.

Apr–Oct

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

European Herring Gull

Larus argentatusLC

A common resident found along Suffolk's coast, harbours, and towns year-round, though nationally in significant decline.

Year-round

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

Glaucous Gull

Larus hyperboreusLC

A rare winter visitor to the Suffolk coast, occasionally spotted among gull flocks at harbours and beaches during January cold spells.

Jan

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

Great Black-backed Gull

Larus marinusLC

A common resident found year-round along the coast, estuaries and at landfill sites. The largest British gull species.

Year-round

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

Kittiwake

Rissa tridactylaVU

An uncommon year-round presence off Suffolk's coast, sometimes driven inshore by storms. Numbers are declining nationally.

Year-round

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

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Lesser Black-backed Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscusLC

Common year-round, frequenting Suffolk's coast, landfill sites and farmland. Breeding numbers peak in summer with passage birds augmenting.

Year-round

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

Little Gull

Hydrocoloeus minutusLC

An uncommon visitor to Suffolk's coast, most frequently seen at coastal lagoons and offshore from spring through autumn, with its buoyant, tern-like flight.

Apr–Nov

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

Little Tern

Sternula albifronsLC

An uncommon summer breeder nesting on Suffolk's shingle beaches from April to August. Colonies at sites like Minsmere receive active protection.

Apr–Aug

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

Roseate Tern

Sterna dougalliiLC

A rare passage visitor in June and July, occasionally seen offshore or at coastal tern colonies. One of Britain's rarest seabirds.

Jun–Jul

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

Sandwich Tern

Thalasseus sandvicensisLC

Breeds at key Suffolk coastal colonies from April to October. Often seen plunge-diving offshore at sites like Minsmere.

Apr–Oct

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

Yellow-legged Gull

Larus michahellisLC

A rare but regular visitor to Suffolk's coast and estuaries, present most months. Look for bright yellow legs and darker grey mantle than Herring Gull.

Jun–Apr

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

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