England · five wildlife sites

Nature reserves & wildlife sites in Gloucestershire

Explore these places for wildlife in Gloucestershire. Seasonal notes suggest when to look; sightings are not guaranteed.

01 / 05

Slimbridge

Near Slimbridge.

Habitat: Wet grassland, reedbeds, pools and saltmarsh beside the Severn Estuary.
Wildlife to look for: Bewick’s swan (winter), white-fronted goose (winter), common crane, pintail (winter) and lapwing.

02 / 05

Near Sapperton.

Habitat: Flower-rich limestone grassland with scrub and ant hills.
Wildlife to look for: Large blue butterfly (June and July), dingy skipper butterfly (late spring), marbled white butterfly (summer), dark green fritillary butterfly (summer) and six-spot burnet moth (summer).

03 / 05

Near Coombe Hill, near Tewkesbury.

Habitat: Floodplain meadows with a disused canal, wetland pools and ditches.
Wildlife to look for: Lapwing, redshank, curlew, hairy dragonfly (late spring and early summer) and emperor dragonfly (summer).

04 / 05

Near Wickwar, near Hawkesbury Upton.

Habitat: Ancient woodland with coppiced areas, grassy rides and the Little Avon River.
Wildlife to look for: White admiral butterfly (summer), silver-washed fritillary butterfly (summer), white-letter hairstreak butterfly (summer), dipper and kingfisher.

05 / 05

Near Bourton-on-the-Water.

Habitat: Wildflower meadows beside the Rivers Eye and Dikler, with hedgerows and old farm buildings.
Wildlife to look for: Water vole, otter, barn owl, swallow (spring and summer) and house martin (spring and summer).