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 24–46 of 64 species
Fieldfare
Turdus pilarisLC
An uncommon winter visitor from Scandinavia, feeding in flocks on berry-laden hedgerows and open fields from October to April.
Oct–Apr
Garden Warbler
Sylvia borinLC
An uncommon summer visitor breeding in dense scrub and woodland understorey from April to September, best located by song.
Apr–Sep
Goldcrest
Regulus regulusLC
A tiny resident of coniferous and mixed woodland, present year-round in the Forest of Dean and Cotswold plantations.
Year-round
Golden Plover
Pluvialis apricariaLC
An uncommon winter visitor forming flocks on the Severn floodplain and arable fields, present from autumn through to early spring.
Sep–Apr
Great Black-backed Gull
Larus marinusLC
An uncommon but year-round resident, seen at reservoirs, the Severn Estuary and landfill sites across the county.
Year-round
Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatusLC
An uncommon resident, breeding on larger lakes at Cotswold Water Park and other gravel pits. Elegant courtship displays begin in spring.
Year-round
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos majorLC
An uncommon resident of mature woodlands and larger gardens, its drumming a familiar spring sound in the Forest of Dean.
Year-round
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
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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
Green Sandpiper
Tringa ochropusLC
An uncommon but regular visitor to muddy pool edges and ditches, present in most months except midwinter.
Jun–Apr
Greenshank
Tringa nebulariaLC
An uncommon breeder present from April to October, favouring marshy pools and reservoir margins.
Apr–Oct
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinereaLC
An uncommon year-round resident favouring fast-flowing streams and weirs, especially in the Cotswolds. Bobs its long tail constantly.
Year-round
Kestrel
Falco tinnunculusLC
An uncommon resident often seen hovering over roadside verges and open farmland across the Cotswolds and Severn Vale.
Year-round
Lesser Whitethroat
Curruca currucaLC
An uncommon summer breeder found in dense hedgerows and scrubby thickets, arriving in April and departing by September.
Apr–Sep
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollisLC
An uncommon but year-round resident on ponds, canals, and sheltered lakes. Its whinnying trill is often heard before it is seen.
Year-round
Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubiusLC
An uncommon summer breeder at gravel pits and reservoir margins. Arrives in March and departs by September.
Mar–Sep
Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorusLC
An uncommon year-round resident of parkland, orchards and open woodland, often seen singing boldly from treetops even in winter storms.
Year-round
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
An uncommon winter visitor to the Severn Estuary and floodplain pools, typically present from autumn through to spring.
Sep–May
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinusLC
An uncommon year-round resident, nesting on Gloucester Cathedral and cliff faces in the Wye Valley and Cotswold escarpment.
Year-round
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
An uncommon year-round resident on deeper lakes and gravel pits. A nationally declining species, with modest numbers wintering in the county.
Year-round
Red Kite
Milvus milvusLC
Now an uncommon year-round resident following successful reintroduction, increasingly seen soaring over the Cotswolds and Severn Vale.
Year-round
Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclusLC
An uncommon year-round resident of reedbeds, ditches and wetland margins. Often found around the Severn Vale's wet grasslands.
Year-round
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
An uncommon resident, found on muddy shores along the Severn Estuary and at gravel pit margins throughout the year.
Year-round