Thornbury U3A Birdwatching Group – Visit to the Forest of Dean
Tuesday 28th February 2023
On a grey morning Tuesday 28th February 13 members met at New Fancy car park near Speech House in the Forest of Dean. The prime intention was to watch for goshawks as they display above the trees at this time of year. In spite of the sunlight over the hills above Lydney as we crossed the Severn Bridge, it was raining at New Fancy and at the top of the batch, the rain was being blown into our faces. As we climbed the steep path we had lovely close views of a pair of bullfinches, the male showing his bright spring colours. At the top we were met by members of the Bristol Birdwatching Club who were already set up to view the hoped-for goshawks. Sadly, the rain persisted and visibility was very poor so, after about 40 minutes during which we saw a few crows, a raven and wood pigeons, we returned to the cars.
We drove the short distance to Nags Head RSPB reserve where we took lunch and then walked around the reserve. It was very quiet but we did have many views of blue tits and watched a goldcrest at close quarters feeding around the holly trees. The Campbell hide gave us a distant view of a wild boar while nuthatches and tits called above us in the trees. A pair of mallard was seen from the hide overlooking the pond and a song thrush sang above us. Again, it was very quiet so we returned to the cars for the journey home.
It was not a productive day bird-wise but still enjoyable to be out with friends in spite of the dampness.
Bird List
| Blue Tit | Song Thrush | |
| Bullfinch | Great Tit | |
| Raven | Redwing | |
| Blackbird | Goldcrest | |
| Carrion Crow | Mallard | |
| Wood Pigeon | Buzzard | |
| Nuthatch |
13 species Charles Hiscock