Ducks, Geese & Swans in Gloucestershire

30 species matching this filter.

All birds in GloucestershireView family page

Gloucestershire is a superb county for observing ducks, geese and swans, with around 30 species recorded across its diverse wetland habitats. The Severn Estuary, the Cotswold Water Park and the Slimbridge Wetland Centre provide exceptional opportunities to see species ranging from common Greylag Geese and Eurasian Wigeon to more unusual visitors such as Bar-headed Goose and Black Swan. Whether you visit in winter to witness large flocks of wildfowl or in summer to spot breeding residents like the Egyptian Goose and Common Shelduck, the county offers year-round interest for birdwatchers.

Garganey
GarganeySmallest · 37cm
to
Whooper Swan
Whooper SwanLargest · 165cm
Ranges from the Garganey (37cm) to the Whooper Swan (165cm)17 year-round residents

Showing 1–23 of 30 species

Bar-headed Goose

Bar-headed Goose

Anser indicusLC

A rare passage record, likely of feral or escaped origin. Occasionally seen among wild goose flocks on the Severn Estuary in winter.

Jan

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

Barnacle Goose

Branta leucopsisLC

Present year-round but uncommon; feral birds frequent the Severn Estuary wetlands and Cotswold Water Park lakes.

Year-round

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

Black Swan

Cygnus atratusLC

A rare resident, likely originating from ornamental collections. Occasionally seen on lakes and gravel pits across the county.

Year-round

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

Brent Goose

Branta berniclaLC

A rare winter visitor to the Severn Estuary, with small numbers occasionally grazing saltmarsh between October and April.

Oct–Apr

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

Canada Goose

Branta canadensisLC

A common resident of lakes, gravel pits and river meadows, with large moulting flocks gathering at Slimbridge in summer.

Year-round

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

Common Merganser

Mergus merganserLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to rivers and lakes, most likely seen on the Severn in the colder months.

Oct–Apr

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

Common Scoter

Melanitta nigraLC

A rare passage visitor, occasionally appearing on reservoirs or gravel pits during July and November movements.

Jul–Nov

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

Common Shelduck

Tadorna tadornaLC

A common resident found year-round on the Severn Estuary mudflats and nearby wetlands. Breeds locally and gathers in moulting flocks.

Year-round

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

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Egyptian Goose

Egyptian Goose

Alopochen aegyptiacaLC

A scarce but established non-native resident, found around lakes and parkland. The UK population continues to spread from south-east England.

Sep–Jul

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

Eurasian Wigeon

Mareca penelopeLC

Common on the Severn Estuary and wetlands, with large winter flocks at Slimbridge. Small numbers linger through summer.

Year-round

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

Gadwall

Mareca streperaLC

Common year-round on lakes and gravel pits, especially at the Cotswold Water Park and Slimbridge reserves.

Year-round

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

Garganey

Spatula querquedulaLC

A rare summer breeder, arriving in spring at shallow wetlands. Listen for the distinctive crackling call.

Mar–Sep

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

Goldeneye

Bucephala clangulaLC

Rare but regular in winter on larger lakes and gravel pits, with small numbers lingering into spring.

Nov–May

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

Greater Scaup

Aythya marilaLC

A rare winter visitor, occasionally turning up on deeper lakes and reservoirs between December and March.

Dec–Mar

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Greater White-fronted Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose

Anser albifronsLC

An uncommon winter visitor to the Severn Estuary and floodplain grasslands, with the Slimbridge area being a key site in the county.

Oct–Apr

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

Greylag Goose

Anser anserLC

Common and resident, with large flocks grazing the Severn Vale. Feral populations bolster wild wintering birds.

Year-round

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

Hooded Merganser

Lophodytes cucullatusLC

An exceptionally rare visitor, with records most likely involving escapees. Recorded in February as a brief passage occurrence.

Feb

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

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchosLC

An abundant resident found on virtually any waterbody, from the Severn and its tributaries to farm ponds and urban park lakes.

Year-round

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

Mandarin Duck

Aix galericulataLC

A rare but year-round resident favouring wooded lakes and rivers. Nests in tree holes along the county's well-wooded valleys.

Year-round

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

Mute Swan

Cygnus olorLC

A familiar resident on the county's rivers, lakes and gravel pits, often seen gliding along the Severn or nesting on canal banks year-round.

Year-round

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

Northern Pintail

Anas acutaLC

An uncommon winter visitor to the Severn Estuary and floodplain pools, typically present from autumn through to spring.

Sep–May

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

Northern Shoveler

Spatula clypeataLC

Common on shallow wetlands and flooded fields, especially around the Severn Vale. Numbers peak in winter with continental arrivals.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Pink-footed Goose

Pink-footed Goose

Anser brachyrhynchusLC

A rare winter visitor to the Severn Vale, occasionally joining other goose flocks on flooded grasslands and wetlands during cold spells.

Oct–May

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