It is only the second time the striking grey‑and‑black corvid has been seen in Gloucestershire, making it one of the county’s standout avian visitors this winter.
According to reports online, it was spotted from Holden Tower over the Dumbles at the wetlands centre recently.
Often associated with Scotland, Ireland and parts of continental Europe, hooded crows are rarely seen in England especially this far south.
Its presence among the more familiar carrion crows and wetland species on the Severn estuary has prompted a steady stream of birdwatchers hoping to add it to their species lists.
Hooded crows are medium‑sized crows with a pale grey body and contrasting black head, wings and tail.
They favour coasts, farmland and open countryside, often feeding on carrion, invertebrates and general food waste.
Long treated as a subspecies of carrion crow, they are now usually regarded as a separate species, reflecting consistent differences in plumage and range.
The bird’s continued use of the same vantage area has allowed good, prolonged views, helping to clinch identification.
For Slimbridge, it adds to a strong run of rarities on the Dumbles, reinforcing the estuary’s reputation as a magnet for scarce species.
For Gloucestershire birders, it underlines how even well‑watched sites can still deliver genuine surprises.
