Gulls & Terns in Tyne and Wear
15 species matching this filter.
Tyne and Wear's coastline, estuaries, and urban waterways provide excellent habitat for a diverse range of gulls and terns, with 15 species recorded in the county. The region is particularly renowned for its Kittiwake colony on the Tyne bridges in Newcastle and Gateshead, one of the most inland breeding colonies in the world, while Arctic Terns and Common Terns nest along the coast at sites such as the Farne Islands approach and Long Nans at the mouth of the Tyne. Wintering visitors such as Glaucous Gull and Iceland Gull add further interest for keen birders during the colder months.
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
An uncommon summer breeder, present from April to October. Nests at coastal colonies and can be seen fishing offshore.
Apr–Oct
Black Tern
Chlidonias nigerLC
A rare autumn passage migrant in August and September, sometimes seen dipping over coastal pools and wetlands.
Aug–Sep
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
A common year-round gull found on playing fields, reservoirs, and coasts. Numbers peak in winter with an influx of continental birds.
Year-round
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
A common breeding visitor from April to October, nesting on pontoons and islands along the Tyne and at coastal wetlands.
Apr–Oct
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
A familiar and noisy resident, nesting on rooftops across urban Tyne and Wear. Present in large numbers throughout the year.
Year-round
Glaucous Gull
Larus hyperboreusLC
A rare winter visitor from the Arctic, occasionally spotted among gull flocks at harbours and tips from November to March.
Nov–Mar
Great Black-backed Gull
Larus marinusLC
A bulky, powerful gull present year-round along the coast and at harbours, often dominating smaller gulls at feeding sites.
Year-round
Iceland Gull
Larus glaucoidesLC
A rare winter visitor from the Arctic, occasionally spotted among gull flocks at the coast or reservoirs from November to April.
Nov–Apr
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Kittiwake
Rissa tridactylaVU
An uncommon but iconic resident, nesting on buildings and cliffs along the Tyne. Numbers have declined sharply in recent decades.
Year-round
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscusLC
An uncommon year-round resident, often seen at landfill sites, playing fields and along the coast. Less numerous than Herring Gulls locally.
Year-round
Little Gull
Hydrocoloeus minutusLC
An uncommon non-breeding visitor, seen at coastal sites from late summer through winter. Often noted during seawatches.
Jul–Feb
Little Tern
Sternula albifronsLC
A rare breeding visitor to sandy and shingle beaches from May to August, with nesting sites needing careful protection.
May–Aug
Roseate Tern
Sterna dougalliiLC
A rare passage migrant, most likely seen near tern colonies in late summer. The nearby Coquet Island hosts a key UK breeding colony.
May–Sep
Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensisLC
An uncommon breeder present from March to October. Feeds along the coast and nests at nearby colonies, often seen plunge-diving for fish.
Mar–Oct
Yellow-legged Gull
Larus michahellisLC
A rare passage visitor in July and August, occasionally found among large gull flocks at coastal roosts and tips.
Jun–Mar