Uncommon Birds in Gloucestershire
64 species matching this filter.
Gloucestershire's diverse landscapes—from the Severn Estuary mudflats to the wooded valleys of the Forest of Dean and the rolling Cotswold hills—support an impressive variety of uncommon bird species. With 64 species classified as uncommon in the county, birdwatchers may encounter elegant Avocets wading along estuarine shores, Common Cranes on passage, or the distinctive laugh of the European Green Woodpecker echoing through ancient woodlands. Seasonal migrants such as Fieldfares, Garden Warblers, and Common Swifts add further interest throughout the year.
Showing 1–23 of 64 species
Avocet
Recurvirostra avosettaLC
An uncommon resident, favouring shallow saline pools along the Severn Estuary. Slimbridge is a key site for this elegant wader.
Year-round
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
Present year-round but uncommon; feral birds frequent the Severn Estuary wetlands and Cotswold Water Park lakes.
Year-round
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of thick hedgerows, orchards and woodland edges. Often heard before seen, with its soft piping call.
Year-round
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
An uncommon but expanding resident of dense waterside scrub, more often heard than seen at wetland sites like Slimbridge.
Year-round
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
An uncommon resident of coniferous and mixed woodland, regularly visiting garden feeders in winter. Common in the Forest of Dean.
Year-round
Common Crane
Grus grusLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, part of the recolonisation of western England. Breeds on the Somerset Levels and visits Severn wetlands.
Year-round
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
An uncommon resident seen year-round on playing fields, reservoirs and farmland. Numbers increase in winter with visiting birds from the Continent.
Year-round
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of clean rivers and streams. A flash of electric blue along the Severn's tributaries and canal banks.
Year-round
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Common Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
Present year-round in farmland and woodland edges across the county, sustained largely by releases for shooting.
Year-round
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, often seen soaring over the Cotswold escarpment and Forest of Dean with deep, cronking calls.
Year-round
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
An uncommon summer breeder favouring mature oak woodland with nest holes, particularly in the Forest of Dean.
Apr–Oct
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
An uncommon summer breeder arriving in April, found in reedbeds along the Severn Estuary and at wetland reserves like Slimbridge.
Apr–Sep
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
An uncommon resident along rivers and reservoir edges. Most conspicuous during passage, bobbing on rocks by the water.
Apr–Feb
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
An uncommon resident of marshy fields and wetland edges, most conspicuous in winter when flushed from waterlogged grassland.
Jul–May
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
An uncommon summer breeder, screaming over towns from April to September. Nests in older buildings in Gloucester and Cheltenham.
Apr–Sep
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
An uncommon summer breeder, nesting on islands at Cotswold Water Park gravel pits from April to September.
Apr–Sep
Cuckoo
Cuculus canorusLC
An uncommon breeding visitor arriving in April. Its distinctive call carries across woodland edges and the Cotswold valleys.
Apr–Jun
Curlew Sandpiper
Calidris ferrugineaNT
An uncommon autumn passage migrant, typically seen August to October on muddy pools and estuary margins.
Aug–Oct
Eurasian Jay
Garrulus glandariusLC
A resident of mature broadleaved woodland, often heard giving its harsh screech in the Forest of Dean and Cotswold valleys.
Year-round
Eurasian Nuthatch
Sitta europaeaLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of mature deciduous woodland, particularly in the Forest of Dean and along the Wye Valley.
Year-round
Eurasian Siskin
Spinus spinusLC
An uncommon resident favouring conifer plantations and alders along waterways. More conspicuous in winter when visiting garden feeders.
Year-round
European Green Woodpecker
Picus viridisLC
An uncommon resident favouring parkland, orchards, and woodland edges. Its loud laughing call is a familiar sound across the Cotswolds.
Year-round
European Pied Flycatcher
Ficedula hypoleucaLC
An uncommon summer breeder strongly associated with oak woodlands in the Forest of Dean, arriving in April and nesting in tree holes.
Apr–Jun