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 139–161 of 195 species
Pectoral Sandpiper
Calidris melanotosLC
A rare Nearctic wader appearing on autumn passage in August–September, typically at Slimbridge or Cotswold Water Park scrapes.
Aug–Sep
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
Pink-footed Goose
Anser brachyrhynchusLC
A rare winter visitor to the Severn Vale, occasionally joining other goose flocks on flooded grasslands and wetlands during cold spells.
Oct–May
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 Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare resident of conifer plantations in the Forest of Dean, using its crossed bill to extract seeds from spruce and pine cones.
Oct–Aug
Red Kite
Milvus milvusLC
Now an uncommon year-round resident following successful reintroduction, increasingly seen soaring over the Cotswolds and Severn Vale.
Year-round
Red Knot
Calidris canutusNT
A rare visitor to the Severn Estuary, mainly in winter and during passage. Small flocks occasionally feed on the mudflats.
Jul–Apr
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufinaLC
A rare but year-round resident, most likely seen at Cotswold Water Park gravel pits. Numbers in southern England are slowly increasing.
Year-round
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Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufaNT
A scarce resident of arable farmland and open fields, most often encountered in the Cotswolds and lowland areas.
Year-round
Redshank
Tringa totanusLC
Common year-round on the Severn Estuary and wet meadows, breeding on damp grasslands in spring.
Year-round
Redwing
Turdus iliacusNT
A common winter thrush arriving from Scandinavia, foraging in hedgerows and fields across the county from autumn through to spring.
Sep–Apr
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
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatusLC
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally spotted on the Cotswold escarpment in April as it heads to upland breeding grounds.
Apr
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
Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
Abundant year-round in towns and cities, with feral populations thriving on buildings across Gloucester and Cheltenham.
Year-round
Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosusLC
A rare non-breeding visitor found along the Severn Estuary shoreline in winter. Occasionally recorded at inland reservoirs on passage.
Sep–Mar
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
A common resident forming noisy rookeries in farmland trees across the Severn Vale and Cotswold villages.
Year-round
Ross's Goose
Anser rossiiLC
A rare non-breeding visitor, likely of uncertain origin, occasionally seen among wild goose flocks on the Severn floodplain in winter.
Aug–May
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpresLC
An uncommon visitor to rocky and muddy shores along the Severn Estuary, absent only in June during the breeding season.
Jul–May
Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
Uncommon but present year-round on wet grasslands and muddy scrapes, often alongside lapwings at Slimbridge.
Year-round
Sabine's Gull
Xema sabiniLC
A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally storm-driven inland to Severn Estuary reservoirs in September. A prized find for local birders.
Sep
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
An uncommon summer visitor breeding in sandy riverbanks along the Severn and its tributaries, present from March to September.
Mar–Sep
Sanderling
Calidris albaLC
A rare breeding-season visitor, occasionally seen at Severn Estuary mudflats and reservoir margins from May to September.
May–Sep