Birds in Gloucestershire
Explore 195 species found in this region.
Gloucestershire is a wonderfully diverse county for birdwatching, with 189 recorded species found across its varied landscapes. From the wetlands of the Severn Estuary and the waterways of the Cotswold Water Park to the ancient woodlands of the Forest of Dean, the county supports an impressive range of habitats that attract both resident and migratory birds. Notable species include the striking Bluethroat, the elegant Northern Lapwing, the elusive Great Grey Shrike, and the colourful Mandarin Duck.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Jaeger and Arctic Tern arriving this month, and Barn Owl and Black Redstart depart for the season.
Showing 47–69 of 195 species
Coot
Fulica atraLC
A common resident on lakes, reservoirs and gravel pits across the county. Forms large winter flocks on open water.
Year-round
Corn Bunting
Emberiza calandraLC
A rare and declining resident of open arable farmland in the Cotswolds. One of the county's most threatened breeding birds.
Jan–Jul
Cuckoo
Cuculus canorusLC
An uncommon breeding visitor arriving in April. Its distinctive call carries across woodland edges and the Cotswold valleys.
Apr–Jun
Curlew
Numenius arquataNT
Common along the Severn Estuary and on wet grasslands year-round. Breeding numbers in the county have declined significantly.
Year-round
Curlew Sandpiper
Calidris ferrugineaNT
An uncommon autumn passage migrant, typically seen August to October on muddy pools and estuary margins.
Aug–Oct
Dipper
Cinclus cinclusLC
A rare resident of fast-flowing streams in the Forest of Dean and Cotswold valleys, bobbing on rocks and diving for aquatic invertebrates.
Sep–Jun
Dunlin
Calidris alpinaLC
Common along the Severn Estuary mudflats year-round, with numbers peaking in winter when migrants join resident birds.
Year-round
Dunnock
Prunella modularisLC
A common and widespread resident of hedgerows, gardens and scrubby woodland. Its shuffling song is one of the earliest heard each spring.
Year-round
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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
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
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaoctoLC
A common resident in towns, villages and farmyards, its monotonous three-note call heard throughout the year.
Year-round
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 Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegusNT
Common year-round along the Severn Estuary. Breeds on shingle and grassland, with noisy piping calls a familiar sound.
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
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensisLC
A common resident of open farmland and grassland across the Cotswolds and Severn Vale, though declining nationally due to agricultural changes.
Year-round
Eurasian Spoonbill
Platalea leucorodiaLC
A rare but increasingly recorded resident, seen at Slimbridge and Severn Estuary wetlands throughout the year.
Year-round
Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
Common on the Severn Estuary and wetlands, with large winter flocks at Slimbridge. Small numbers linger through summer.
Year-round
Eurasian Woodcock
Scolopax rusticolaLC
A rare passage bird in June; more typically winters in woodland but breeds sparingly in the county.
Jun
Eurasian Wren
Troglodytes troglodytesLC
A common and vocal resident found in virtually every hedgerow, garden, and woodland. Remarkably loud song for its tiny size.
Year-round
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelisLC
A common and colourful resident, frequently seen in flocks on teasel heads and garden feeders throughout the county all year round.
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 Herring Gull
Larus argentatusLC
A common year-round resident, regularly seen at landfill sites, reservoirs and urban rooftops across the county.
Year-round