Birds of the Seashore
The birds on this page are the seabirds that can always be found along our shoreline. Some can also be found further inland but they are essentially seabirds. Many other seabirds fly along the coast but hardly ever come ashore so are only likely to be spotted using binoculars or telescope. Gannets, however, are large enough that they can sometimes be seen diving for fish out to sea.
Herring Gull
Our most numerous gull is a persistent scavenger and not everyone's favourite. They are very bold and have lost their fear of us. Please do not feed them!
Black-headed Gull
Smaller than the Herring Gull and not so bold, these gulls lose their black heads in winter, the black reducing to a small dot behind each eye.
Great Black-backed Gull
Our largest gull, these can sometimes be seen along the shore but never in large numbers. They take advantage of their size, often stealing food from other gulls.
Cormorant
Cormorants can often be seen perched on shoreline structures, sometimes spreading their wings to warm in the sun. A lot roost in a tree by the lake below Worsham Farm.
Turnstone
These small seabirds are common all along our shoreline where they feed on animals found in the shallows. They are also often seen on the lawns by the De La Warr Pavillion.
Oystercatcher
Larger than the Turnstone, these have a distinctive call and a bright orange bill. They are not so common but fairly easy to spot as they hunt for molluscs along the shoreline.