Herons & Egrets in Gloucestershire
5 species matching this filter.
Gloucestershire's diverse wetland habitats, from the Severn Estuary mudflats to the lakes and reedbeds of the Cotswold Water Park, make it an excellent county for observing herons and egrets. Five species from this elegant family have been recorded here, including the increasingly common Little Egret and the scarcer Great White Egret, alongside the secretive Eurasian Bittern which can be found lurking in extensive reedbeds during winter. The Grey Heron remains a familiar sight along the county's rivers and waterways, while Cattle Egrets have become more frequent visitors in recent years, often spotted among grazing livestock.
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibisLC
A rare but increasingly seen resident, often found alongside livestock on the Severn Vale's wet pastures. A recent colonist of southern England.
Jul–May
Eurasian Bittern
Botaurus stellarisLC
A rare and secretive winter visitor to reedbeds, occasionally recorded at Slimbridge and other wetland sites in the county.
Sep–Apr
Great White Egret
Ardea albaLC
An increasingly established presence, seen year-round at Slimbridge and the Severn Vale wetlands, part of a national expansion.
Year-round
Grey Heron
Ardea cinereaLC
A common year-round resident, nesting in heronries in tall trees. Readily seen along rivers, lakes and wet meadows across the county.
Year-round
Little Egret
Egretta garzettaLC
Now a common sight along the Severn Estuary and Cotswold waterways year-round, having colonised the county since the 1990s.
Year-round