Gloucestershire

Magpie Pica pica ©Ashley Beolens Website

The Gloucestershire recording area (areas 33 & 34 in the Watsonian system) is for the most part, co-terminus with the ceremonial county of Gloucestershire, in southwest England on the English border with Wales. This is a many faceted jewel of a County set in the very heart of rural Britain. Its largest towns and cities are Gloucester, the largest and the county town, Cheltenham, Cirencester, Stroud and Tewkesbury. None are so large that the countryside cannot be reached within a couple of miles or so. Gloucestershire’s stretches over more than 3,000 K² (over 1200 square miles) and has a population of under a million people.

Gloucestershire has three main landscape areas, a large part of the Cotswolds, the Royal Forest of Dean and the Severn Vale. The Cotswolds take up a large portion of the east and south of the county, The Forest of Dean taking up the west, with the Severn and its valley running between these features. In the west, the Wye valley borders Wales. Gloucestershire is bisected by the river River Severn, which enters the county near Tewkesbury and forms a wide valley down its centre before broadening into a large tidal estuary. The hills to the east form the majority of the Cotswolds AONB, and the uplands to the west are part of the Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley AONB, which stretches into Wales.

The county has two green belt areas, the first covers the southern area in the South Gloucestershire district, to protect outlying villages and towns between Thornbury and Chipping Sodbury from the urban sprawl of the Bristol conurbation. The second belt lies around Gloucester, Cheltenham, and Bishop’s Cleeve, to afford those areas and villages in between a protection from urban sprawl and further convergence. Both belts intersect with the boundaries of the Cotswolds AONB.

Birding Gloucestershire

There are many wildlife-friendly habitats, which include: The bird-rich beautifully scenic grass covered chalk and limestone hills of the peaceful Cotswolds – a high plateau patch-quilted with mature beech woods – in the East. Deep, quiet ravines of ancient woodland in the Wye Valley. The (almost sea-level) floodplain of the estuarine Severn Valley where waders breed and migrant wildfowl over-winter. The upland of Cleeve Hill (1,000-foot altitude). The easily accessible wooded, wild hills and valleys of the 35 square miles of working forest that make up the (one-time Royal hunting preserve of the) Forest of Dean in the West.

In this last environment the mixture of mature broad-leaf forest and managed young coniferous sections produce a variety of habitats that include ancient woodlands, open meadows of acid grassland, grass-clumped bogs and broad heathland – a diversity of bird and other wildlife that is an almost guaranteed recipe for good birding.

Top Sites
  • Ashleworth Ham

    WebpageSatellite View
    On the West bank of River Severn 6 miles north of Gloucester - Bewick's Swan, Bittern, Cormorant, Gadwall, Goldeneye, Mallard, Pintail, Pochard, Shelduck, Shoveler, Teal, Tufted Duck, Wigeon.
  • Avon Valley

    Satellite View
    Anywhere along the Avon after Tewkesbury - Bewick's Swan, Coot, Dunlin, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Pochard, Redshank, Reed Bunting, Shoveler, Teal, Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Willow Tit.
  • Aylburton Warth

    WebpageSatellite View
    On the West bank of River Severn 6 miles north of Gloucester - Black headed Gull, Kestrel, Lapwing, Mallard, Meadow Pipit, Raven, Redshank, Skylark, Tree Sparrow.
  • Bourton Pits

    WebpageSatellite View
    At Bourton-on-the-Water. Canada Goose, Coot, Dipper, Great Crested Grebe, Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail, Little Grebe, Kingfisher, Mallard, Mute Swan, Reed Bunting, Tree Sparrow, Tufted Duck.
  • Chedworth Woods

    WebpageSatellite View
    South side of River Colne - Barn Owl, Bullfinch, Buzzard, Corn Bunting, Dipper, Goldcrest, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Grey Partridge, Grey Wagtail, Jay, Kestrel, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Little Owl, Mallard, Mandarin Duck, Nuthatch, Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Sparrowhawk, Tawny Owl, Tree Sparrow, Treecreeper, Woodcock, Yellowhammer.
  • Cirencester Park

    InformationSatellite View
    Near Cirencester - Bullfinch, Buzzard, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Jay, Kestrel, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Little Owl, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Nuthatch, Sparrowhawk, Tawny Owl, Treecreeper, Willow Tit.
  • Coombe Hill Canal

    WebpageSatellite View
    On the East bank of River Severn 6 miles north of Gloucester - Bewick's Swan, Bittern, Cormorant, Gadwall, Goldeneye, Mallard, Pintail, Pochard, Shelduck, Shoveler, Teal, Tufted Duck, Wigeon.
  • Cotswold Water Park (Gloucestershire/Wiltshire border)

    WebsiteSatellite View
    Canada Goose, Coot, Dipper, Great Crested Grebe, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher, Little Grebe, Mallard, Mute Swan, Red-crested Pochard, Tawny Owl, Tree Sparrow, Tufted Duck.
  • Dowdeswell Reservoir

    InformationSatellite View
    Near Cheltenham - Bullfinch, Coot, Goldcrest, Great Crested Grebe, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail, Jay, Kestrel, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Little Grebe, Mallard, Marsh Tit, Nuthatch, Pied Wagtail, Sparrowhawk, Tawny Owl, Treecreeper, Willow Tit.
  • Forest of Dean

    WebpageSatellite View
    (Forest area encircled by towns of Cinderford, Monmouth and Lydney) [Places of birding interest: RSPB Nagshead reserve (OS: 5909); Woorgreen's Lake (near Speech house); Cannop ponds. (OS: 6010); Soudley ponds. (OS: 6611) & New Fancy view] - Blue Tit, Buzzard, Coot, Cormorant, Dipper, Goldcrest, Great Tit, Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail, Hawfinch, Kestrel, Kingfisher, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Little Grebe, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Nuthatch, Peregrine, Pied Flycatcher, Raven, Redpoll, Siskin, Sparrowhawk, Stonechat, Tawny Owl, Treecreeper, Willow Tit, Woodcock, Yellowhammer.
  • Frampton Pools

    InformationSatellite View
    Disused gravel pits outside Frampton - Barnacle Goose, Canada Goose, Coot, Cormorant, Great Crested Grebe, Grey Heron, Greylag, Kestrel, Kingfisher, Little Grebe, Little Owl, Mandarin Duck, Mute Swan, Nuthatch, Red-legged Partridge, Reed Bunting, Ruddy Duck, Treecreeper, Tufted Duck, White-fronted Goose, Willow Tit.
  • Hailey Wood

    WebpageSatellite View
    Near Cirencester - Bullfinch, Buzzard, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Jay, Kestrel, , Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Little Owl, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Nuthatch, Sparrowhawk, Tawny Owl, Treecreeper, Willow Tit.
  • National Arboretum - Westonbirt

    WebpageSatellite View
    Near Tetbury on A433 - Goldcrest, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Jay, Kestrel, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Sparrowhawk, Tawny Owl, Treecreeper.
  • Oakley Wood

    WebsiteSatellite View
    Near Cirencester - Bullfinch, Buzzard, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Jay, Kestrel, , Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Little Owl, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Nuthatch, Sparrowhawk, Tawny Owl, Treecreeper, Willow Tit. There has been woodland here since way back in the 16th Century but much of it was replanted with Scots pine. There are now large areas of conifer with some broadleaf trees and scrubland mixed in. Warwickshire Wildlife Trust have longer term plans to restore the wood back to native broadleaf trees.
  • Oversley Wood

    WebpageSatellite View
    Near Cirencester - Bullfinch, Buzzard, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Jay, Kestrel, , Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Little Owl, Long-tailed Tit, Marsh Tit, Nuthatch, Sparrowhawk, Tawny Owl, Treecreeper, Willow Tit.
  • Slimbridge

    WebpageSatellite View
    Off Junction 13 or 14 of M5 - [Extensive and World renowned captive collection of Wildfowl] - Chaffinch, Collared Dove, Cormorant, Gadwall, Grey Heron, Kestrel, Kingfisher, Lapwing, Little Owl, Mandarin Duck, Meadow Pipit, Moorhen, Redshank, Reed Bunting, Shelduck, Skylark, Sparrowhawk, Treecreeper.
  • Symonds Yat

    InformationSatellite View
    On River Wye near Chepstow - Buzzard, Cormorant, Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Herring Gull, Kestrel, Peregrine, Redpoll, Sand Martin, Siskin, Sparrowhawk.
  • Tidenham Chase

    WebpageSatellite View
    Near Tintern Abbey - Buzzard, Coal Tit, Crossbill, Goldcrest, Kestrel, Nightjar, Redpoll, Sparrowhawk, Stonechat, Tree Pipit, Whinchat, Whitethroat, Willow Tit, Woodcock, Yellowhammer.
  • Walmore Common

    InformationSatellite View
    On River Severn near Gloucester - Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Kestrel, Lapwing, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Little Owl, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Redshank, Reed Bunting, Skylark, Sparrowhawk, Stock Dove, Tawny Owl.
  • Withington Woods

    WebpageSatellite View
    South side of River Colne - Barn Owl, Bullfinch, Buzzard, Corn Bunting, Dipper, Goldcrest, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Grey Partridge, Grey Wagtail, Jay, Kestrel, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Little Owl, Mallard, Mandarin Duck, Nuthatch, Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Sparrowhawk, Tawny Owl, Tree Sparrow, Treecreeper, Woodcock, Yellowhammer.
  • Wye Valley

    InformationSatellite View
    Near Chepstow - Buzzard, Cormorant, Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Herring Gull, Kestrel, Peregrine, Redpoll, Sand Martin, Siskin, Sparrowhawk.
County Recorder
Number of Species
  • Number of bird species: 324

Checklist
  • Checklist

    Checklist PDF
    Checklist of the birds of Gloucestershire from Avibase
Useful Reading

  • The Birds of Gloucestershire

    | By Gordon Kirk & John Phillips | Liverpool University Press | 2013 | Hardback | 451 pages, colour photos, b/w illustrations, colour distribution maps, colour tables | ISBN: 9781846318085 Buy this book from NHBS.com
  • Where to Watch Birds in Somerset, Gloucestershire & Wiltshire

    | By Ken Hall | Christopher Helm | 2019 | 4th Edition | Paperback | 314 Pages | b/w illustrations, b/w maps | ISBN: 9781472912381 Buy this book from NHBS.com
Useful Information
  • The Birds of Gloucestershire

    PDF
    Download as an EPUB
Organisations
  • Cheltenham Bird Club

    Website
    Beyond our bird feeders and gardens Gloucestershire has an amazing variety of habitats from the Severn estuary and plain to the High Cotswolds in the east and the Forest of Dean in the west. As a result we have an astonishing number of bird species either as resident or summer or winter visitors.
  • Dursley Birdwatching and Preservation Society

    Website
    The Gloucestershire based Dursley Birdwatching and Preservation Society (DBWPS) was formed during 1953 to bring together local people with an interest in birds and natural history. Many years later it is still the aim of the Society to promote this interest, with a varied programme of outdoor field events, indoor meetings, weekends and social events, which enable many conservation projects to be supported.
  • Gloucestershire Naturalists Society

    Website
    The Gloucestershire Naturalists Society (GNS) was formed in 1948 with the aim of promoting an interest in the varied wildlife of the county of Gloucestershire, U.K. At the same time, it assumed the task of recording the county's flora and fauna. To assist in this, the GNS appoints and supports county recorders for all aspects of wildlife - birds, mammals, insects and wildflowers for example
  • Gloucestershire Raptor Monitoring Group

    Website
    Between us we hope we have the enthusiasm, skills and contacts to get this group off the ground – but of course to make it work we need you. Our ambitions include having a “species leader” for each species, encouraging more people to get out and find raptor nests, and using technology to track birds as well as produce reports.
  • Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust

    Website
    The Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust was formed in 1961 by local people, including Sir Peter Scott, who wanted a better future for the county`s wildlife. A variety of programmes and initiatives have been developed to help achieve the Trust`s aim of caring for the wildlife and wild places of Gloucestershire.
  • International Centre for Birds of Prey

    Website
    The Aims of The National Birds of Prey Centre are Conservation of all birds of prey through Education, Captive Breeding, Research and Rehabilitation. We are one of the oldest, probably the largest and certainly the best known and respected specialist collection of birds of prey in the world. Housing approximately 300 birds of over 80 species, the Centre leads the world in the number of species bred in captivity. To date 55 species have been bred here, with new species laying eggs each year.
  • RSPB Gloucestershire Local Group

    Webpage
    The Gloucestershire Ornithological Coordinating Committee runs a winter garden bird survey each year for nine weeks in January and February. We are always on the lookout for additional surveyors as, inevitably, people drop out from the survey each year for one reason or another. Only those living within the Gloucestershire county boundary can take part, I'm afraid.
  • The Barn Owl Centre

    Website
    Established in 1997, registered as a charity 2003, The Barn Owl Centre is an organisation dedicated to Education, Wildlife Conservation & Bird Welfare. Our centre also allows us to offer - Owl flying & bird of prey experiences, the manufacture of a range of nest boxes and nature photography days
Reserves

Abbreviations Key

  • *Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust Reserves

    WebsiteSatellite View
    In Gloucestershire there are approximately 850 Local Wildlife Sites which contribute to our vision for a Living Landscape
  • Accessible Reserves

    WebpageSatellite View
    Each of the following links lead to a BFA assessment of the reserve by BFA members and others, using the BFA form. ALL types of mobility problem are assumed so there are details of path surfaces, gradients and distances as well as benches and hide details.
  • CP Robinswood Country Park

    WebpageSatellite View
    Robinswood Hill has been the head office of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust since 1992. The site is managed by Gloucester City Council, who work closely in partnership with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.
  • LNR Cannop Bridge Marsh

    WebpageSatellite View
    One of the remaining marshlands in the Forest of Dean, insects like dragonflies and damselflies thrive in these wet woodlands, attracting many birds including nuthatches, treecreepers, woodpeckers and reed buntings.
  • LNR Coombe Hill Canal and Meadows

    WebpageSatellite View
    Coombe Hill Canal and Meadows is an SSSI and a place of vistas and endless skies, of floods and farming, an ancient landscape fringing the Severn. Equally appealing on a frost-bitten winter morning or a glorious summer day, Coombe Hill is an ideal place to revel in the peaceful serenity of the countryside; bring binoculars to bird watch, or simple enjoy the wildlife and scenery on offer.
  • LNR Roundhouse Lake

    WebpageSatellite View
    Situated just to the west of Lechlade in the eastern part of the Cotswold Water Park. It's a great location to watch over wintering wildfowl and in the springtime watch the reed dances of the great crested grebe.
  • LNR Symonds Yat

    WebpageSatellite View
    Admire the picturesque views of the River Wye and surrounding area from this internationally famous viewpoint. Discover the ancient hill fort, spot birds of prey and enjoy a snack from the log cabin cafe.
  • LNR Whelford Pools

    WebpageSatellite View
    Whelford Pools and the surrounding lakes attracts a large number of wintering wildfowl, including wigeon, red-crested pochard, goldeneye, pochard and tufted duck and little grebes, along with sedge warbler and reed bunting. Nightingale and bittern also put in occasional appearances and over the summer months. Common tern might be spotted, as well as pike, otters and clouds of dragonflies and damselflies.
  • NNR Cotswold Commons and Beechwoods

    WebpageSatellite View
    Breeding birds include tawny owls, skylarks, tree pipits and lesser-spotted woodpecker, and kestrels and buzzards are often seen overhead.
  • NNR Highbury Wood

    WebpageSatellite View
    Highbury Wood lies on the eastern bank of the River Wye and is a prime example of the very rich and diverse woodland for which the Wye Valley is internationally important. The site is noted for its variety of woodland types, reflecting the wide range of soils, aspect and drainage on the site.
  • NNR Lady Park Wood

    WebpageSatellite View
    Lady Park Wood has a rich breeding bird community which includes all three woodpecker species, redstart, wood warbler, tawny owl, pied flycatcher and treecreeper.
  • NNR The Hudnalls

    WebpageSatellite View
    Birds recorded here include song thrush, hawfinch, wood warbler, starling and lesser spotted woodpecker.
  • RSPB Highnam Woods

    WebpageSatellite View
    With its carpets of bluebells and primroses, this is an ideal reserve to visit in the spring when the nightingales can be heard…
  • RSPB Nagshead

    WebpageSatellite View
    Nagshead is famous for its breeding pied flycatchers. The nestboxes in which they nest have been monitored continuously since 1948. The wood is also home to hawfinches, buzzards and all three species of British woodpecker…
  • WWT Slimbridge

    WebpageSatellite View
    Eight million people have visited Slimbridge to get closer to wildlife & wetlands since Sir Peter Scott opened the doors in 1946. Some people come to get close to the birds, other people just love the ambience of this haven by the Severn. The birds keep coming back too - more than 20,000 wild birds dropped by last year, some staying for months before starting out on their great migratory journeys.
Sightings, News & Forums
  • Glos Bird News

    @GlosBirds
    Latest news of rare and scare birds in Glos @GlosBirds
  • Gloucestershire County Rare Bird Alert

    eBird Sightings
    Latest sightings
  • South Glos Birds!

    Twitter Page
  • The Gloster Birder

    Bird News
    County news, sites to visit, trip reports and other information about birds in Gloucestershire and beyond, since 2000.
Guides & Tour Operators
  • Forest of Dean Wildlife Tours

    Guiding
    Forest of Dean Wildlife Tours is based in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, specialising in bird watching day trips. Let us take you on an early morning wildlife walk, and show you the best the Forest has to offer!
  • The Cotswold Birdwatching Company

    Guiding
    Our day trips are organised to offer the chance to celebrate the area’s amazing wildlife and fantastic scenery. Maybe you have species that you would particularly like to see or would just like a bird-filled day out. Whatever you require, we always try our best to maximise our time in the field. We appreciate that people love to see new species and are delighted to make this happen.
Places to Stay
  • New House Farm

    Accommodation
    New House Farm is a 64 acre working farm ideally situated between the Cotswolds, the Wye Valley and the Forest of Dean. The property is set in a commanding position on the hillside of a quiet valley with far reaching views towards the Malvern hills.
Other Links
  • Anser Birding - Martin McGill

    Website
    Birding diary, images and travels of Martin McGill, a Gloucestershire based birder and WWT Slimbridge Warden. Also Birding holidays, identification courses and day trips. Trip reports section from all holidays and a gallery
  • The Birds of South Gloucestershire

    Website
    The Birds Of South Gloucestershire (TBOSG) was launched in November 2005 with the primary objective of providing a point of reference with easy access to information about rare and scarce birds, both full species and forms, seen in 'S. Glos'. It is by no means authoritative nor exhaustive but it does capture the essence of modern 'birding' in this extremely important region…
Blogs
  • Birds & Nature in the Forest of Dean & Beyond

    BLOG
    Photo Blog
  • Bob Philpott - Cotswold Water Park Birds

    BLOG
    This site publishes records from the Cotswold Water Park of all species (irrespective of county boundaries or rarity). Records are forwarded to the CWPT Database and then on to Local Record Centres.
  • Mike King - The Gloster Birder

    BLOG
    County news, sites to visit, trip reports and other information about birds in Gloucestershire and beyond, since 2000.
  • Paul Bowerman - Severnside Birds

    BLOG
    The area covered is a 10 kilometre coastal strip from the Aust Cliff/Service station, south to the southern end of Chittening Warth. including pools at and near Avonmouth Sewage Works.
Photographers & Artists
  • Artist - Jackie Garner

    Gallery
    I'm a Gloucestershire-based artist, who originally concentrated on British wildlife art as well as making occasional forays into still life and portraiture. Since then my wildlife art has been inspired by the wildlife of the Falkland Islands, and my latest venture is illustrating research into the wildlife art found in ancient Egypt
  • Artist - Martin Ridley

    Gallery
    A Creative Process Revealed: Wildlife Art Description - Gallery of wildlife and wilderness art depicting birds and other animals, paintings in oils and watercolours with accompanying original sketches by artist painter / illustrator Martin Ridley. View how sketches, preparatory drawings and a gallery of wildlife paintings are evolved from initial field encounters, detailed information about creative working methods with wildlife watching tips, painting stages from initial brush stroke to completion, oils in progress. Services include e-Cards, wildlife artwork screensavers, forthcoming wildlife art events calendar, selected art, conservation and wildlife links and search facility to source images.
  • Bob Bushell's Wildlife Photography

    Facebook Page
    Birdwatching information, gallery, and daily photo reports from the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, England maintained by and for disabled and housebound birdwatchers.
  • Photographer - David J Slater - DJS Photography

    Gallery
    Photography by David J Slater Based in the Forest of Dean & Wye Valley
  • Wildfowl Photography

    Gallery
    This website includes wildfowl photographs taken at Slimbridge which is home to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in Gloucestershire, UK and which was founded by Sir Peter Scott.

Fatbirder - linking birders worldwide... Wildlife Travellers see our sister site: WAND

Skip to content