Gulls & Terns in United Kingdom
17 species matching this filter.
The United Kingdom's extensive coastline, estuaries, and inland waterways support a remarkable diversity of gulls and terns, with 17 species recorded across the region. From the ubiquitous Black-headed Gull found in towns and farmland to the magnificent Arctic Tern undertaking its epic pole-to-pole migration, these seabirds are among the most visible and characterful of British wildlife. Key habitats include the dramatic sea cliffs of Scotland and northern England, the shingle beaches of East Anglia, and the bustling harbours and estuaries found throughout the coastline.
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
An uncommon breeder on northern and Scottish coasts, arriving from April. Undertakes the longest migration of any bird, wintering in Antarctic waters.
Apr–Nov
Black Tern
Chlidonias nigerLC
An uncommon passage migrant seen over freshwater lakes and reservoirs, mainly in spring and autumn. No longer breeds in the UK.
Apr–Nov
Black-headed Gull
Larus ridibundusLC
An abundant and widespread resident found at coasts, farmland, parks, and urban areas. Winter flocks can number in the thousands at roost sites.
Year-round
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
A common resident and winter visitor found on coasts, playing fields and farmland. Breeds mainly in Scotland and northern England.
Year-round
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
A common summer breeder found at coastal colonies, gravel pits, and reservoirs from spring to autumn. Plunge-dives for small fish in open water.
Mar–Oct
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
A noisy year-round presence at coasts, harbours and increasingly inland towns. Numbers have declined significantly, earning it red-list status.
Year-round
Glaucous Gull
Larus hyperboreusLC
A rare winter visitor from the Arctic, most regularly seen around harbours and coasts of northern Scotland.
Nov–Mar
Great Black-backed Gull
Larus marinusLC
A common and imposing resident of coastlines, harbours, and rubbish tips year-round. The largest breeding gull in the UK, increasingly found inland.
Year-round
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Iceland Gull
Larus glaucoidesLC
A rare winter visitor from the Arctic, most reliably found at harbours and fishing ports in Scotland and northern England.
Nov–May
Kittiwake
Rissa tridactylaVU
Breeds in noisy colonies on sea cliffs but is sadly declining. Spends winter months far out at sea.
Year-round
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscusLC
A common year-round gull found at coasts, landfill sites, and urban areas. Numbers bolstered by continental migrants in winter.
Year-round
Little Gull
Hydrocoloeus minutusLC
An uncommon gull found year-round at reservoirs, coastal marshes, and estuaries. Numbers peak during passage periods, with a dainty, buoyant flight.
Year-round
Little Tern
Sternula albifronsLC
An uncommon summer breeder on shingle beaches and sandy coasts from April to September. A Schedule 1 species, vulnerable to disturbance and declining.
Apr–Sep
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensisLC
A rare Nearctic winter visitor, most regularly found in Ireland and south-west England among flocks of Common and Black-headed Gulls.
Dec–Apr
Roseate Tern
Sterna dougalliiLC
A rare breeding tern, arriving May–September at a handful of coastal colonies. Coquet Island in Northumberland is a key UK site.
May–Sep
Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensisLC
The earliest tern to return each spring, breeding in noisy colonies on shingle and sandy coasts. Present year-round, with numbers peaking in summer.
Year-round
Yellow-legged Gull
Larus michahellisLC
An uncommon year-round visitor, most often seen at southern reservoirs and landfill sites, with numbers peaking in late summer and autumn.
Year-round