Hawks & Eagles in Gloucestershire
5 species matching this filter.
Gloucestershire is home to five recorded species of hawks and eagles, thriving across the county's diverse landscapes of rolling Cotswold hills, the Severn Vale, and the ancient woodlands of the Forest of Dean. The Buzzard is the most commonly encountered raptor, frequently seen soaring over farmland and woodland edges, while the Red Kite has made a remarkable comeback in recent decades. Rarer sightings include the elusive Northern Goshawk, which breeds in the Forest of Dean, and the Western Marsh-harrier, occasionally spotted over wetland areas such as those near the Severn Estuary.
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
The county's most commonly seen raptor, soaring over farmland, woodland edges and motorway verges throughout the year.
Year-round
Northern Goshawk
Accipiter gentilisLC
A rare and secretive raptor breeding in the Forest of Dean's dense woodlands. Best spotted soaring over the canopy in early spring.
Oct–Jun
Red Kite
Milvus milvusLC
Now an uncommon year-round resident following successful reintroduction, increasingly seen soaring over the Cotswolds and Severn Vale.
Year-round
Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLC
An uncommon but widespread resident, hunting small birds in woodlands, hedgerows and gardens throughout the county.
Year-round
Western Marsh-harrier
Circus aeruginosusLC
An uncommon year-round resident, hunting over reedbeds and marshes at Slimbridge and the Severn Vale. Numbers have increased in recent decades.
Year-round