Whelford Pools
January 10, 2027 @ 09:00 - 12:00
Leader: Dot Jones
Meet: at the reserve car park, Whelford Pools, at 09:00am
Venue: Whelford Pools (Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust), Whelford, near Fairford GL7 4DY (grid ref SU 173 994; what3words: exhale.bouncing.dragonfly)
About the day
A winter morning at Whelford Pools, a small but rewarding Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust reserve at the eastern end of the Cotswold Water Park, between Fairford and Lechlade. The flooded former gravel pits are now a Site of Special Scientific Interest and hold large numbers of wintering wildfowl. Two hides and a viewing screen look out over the water and the cormorant colony. The Cotswold Water Park is one of the best places in the country to see red-crested pochard, so look out for the males’ bright orange heads.
What we might see
Very likely: wigeon, red-crested pochard, pochard, tufted duck, goldeneye, gadwall, teal, shoveler, mallard, little grebe, great crested grebe, coot, moorhen, mute swan, cormorant, grey heron, little egret, black-headed gull, buzzard
Good chance: goosander, kingfisher, water rail, Cetti’s warbler, reed bunting, siskin, lesser redpoll, sparrowhawk, red kite, great white egret
Possible: smew, scaup, black-necked grebe, bittern, peregrine, otter
Cost and booking
There’s no event fee, and entry to the reserve is free.
Car sharing
Car sharing will be arranged on the group’s WhatsApp channel in the week before the trip. Please post if you can offer a lift or need one. From Stroud, allow about 40 minutes. The reserve car park only holds about 12 cars, so please share where you can.
Parking
Use the reserve car park (about 12 spaces). From the A417, turn towards Whelford by the Shell garage, and Whelford Pools is the third turning on the left.
Facilities
There are two hides, both with ramps and wheelchair-friendly turning space, and a viewing screen. There are no toilets or other facilities.
Practical information
The paths are wide but can be uneven and muddy after rain, so wear waterproof boots. Bring binoculars and a telescope, warm layers and a hot drink. Parts of the reserve are closed to protect roosting birds, so please keep to the paths. Dogs are allowed if kept under effective control.
If the trip has to change
Cancellations or weather changes will be shared on the group’s WhatsApp channels.
Further reading
Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust: Whelford Pools
