Wild Tetbury: Discovering the Birds and Wildlife on Our Doorstep
- Greening Tetbury
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
A frosty Preston Park in Tetbury on a mid-January morning
By Dan Fletcher
This year, we are starting a new, irregular feature about Tetbury's wildlife. Our town has a good range of fauna and flora, and we're hoping that with the introduction of more hedges through our 2026 funding initiative (insert link), this will only increase with time.
We want to hear about your own local finds and experiences. Please send your reports and any photos to greeningtetbury@gmail.com.
We have also gathered some simple tips to help encourage and support more wildlife in your garden over the winter months.
Tetbury Bird Watch
In winter and early spring, Tetbury is home to migratory thrushes and finches, including Redwing, Fieldfare, Siskin and Redpoll. In February 2024, two Waxwing visited and in February 2025 a Hawfinch was seen, possibly from Westonbirt Arboretum. February is also when early songbirds such as Song Thrush, Robin, Dunnock and Blackbird are staking their territories ready for the new breeding season.
Pictured: Redpolls (left) and Robin (right). Images courtesy of Greening Tetbury's Dan Fletcher
Apps such as BirdTrack from the BTO or Merlin Bird ID from The Cornell Lab can be useful for recording your sightings and identifying what you’re listening to. The Gloucestershire Garden Bird Survey, run by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust is a great local citizen science project too. Logging what you see in your garden helps build up an understanding of local natural history and can be good for your mental health as well.
Bird Spotting Made Easy
A beginner's view from new Greening Tetbury member, Laura:
Last weekend, on a walk through Preston Park, we came upon a tree absolutely teeming with birds — the noise was quite incredible. I know my garden birds, but I'm a novice when it comes to identifying anything beyond a robin, blackbird or wren. So I recorded a quick five-second video on my phone and uploaded it to the free Merlin Bird ID app, which promptly identified the chatter as a flock of Eurasian Linnets. The app also provided a helpful list of other common birds around Tetbury at this time of year, so now I know what to keep an eye out for in my garden and on my daily walks.
You can use still photos, video clips, or sound recordings to identify species, and the app lets you build your own personal bird list. It's brilliantly simple and perfect for curious beginners.
Attracting More Wildlife to Your Garden
Over the winter, shelter, food and fresh water can be scarce for birds and other wildlife. Here are 5 simple things you can do today to support our local fauna through to the spring.
Install a Nest Box
Birds may not be breeding yet, but nest boxes provide a great space for them to shelter and huddle together for warmth and safety. The Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust has a useful guide to help you build your own bird box, or choose one from the RSPB's vast selection available for purchase online.
Provide Food
Offer seeds, nuts and fats for birds using wire cages or moulds like coconut shells or old yoghurt pots that can then be recycled. The RSPB has a guide on what type of food will serve which species, as well as how to choose the right feeder. Although many will be hibernating, active hedgehogs will appreciate a little plain, meat-based dog or cat food (no fish, bread or milk, please). To deter cats and dogs from getting there first, try placing the food in a shallow dish under a paving slab supported by two bricks, as recommended by Help a Hedgehog, who also suggests unsweetened Weetabix and raisins as an alternative.
Clean Nest Boxes and Feeders
Any bird boxes or feeders you already have, need to be cleaned regularly. Give your feeders a good clean when you next top them up, and make sure boxes are bacteria-free before the nesting season begins.
Credit: wildlifewatch.org.uk
Provide Water
A shallow dish of water (rainwater is best) at ground level will help birds, hedgehogs and other small mammals. Make sure to empty it and replace with fresh water during dryer periods.
Put Your Feet Up
Don't be tempted to clear away the leaves and plant matter from your garden just yet – they're doing an important job providing shelter for toads, insects and other garden friends. Be careful when turning compost piles, as they're a nice warm spot for hedgehogs.
Remember to share your wildlife sightings with us, and any top tips you may have for encouraging winter wildlife: greeningtetbury@gmail.com
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more news, events and practical ways to help us build a greener future for Tetbury and beyond.
Comments