Sunday 16th January 2022 - Forest Of Dean.

 

I have been a member of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) for over 40 years and the local bath branch for about 10 years. Every month we run field trips and today it was too the Forest of Dean, where we were to meet at a car park close to Speech House. The 3 Amigos set off together at 0800 to be sure to make the 0930 rendezvous. On the way Kestrel and Collared Dove were seen. As we approached the Forest of Dean we realised as we were early, there was enough time to call in at Parkend where a piece of land surrounded by Yew trees is always worth a look. On arriving it didn’t look very hopeful due to the large gathering of bikers and dog walkers, but we decided to stop and have a look, we are so glad we did as we soon saw Great Tit, Nuthatch and Chaffinch flying in and out of the Yews. On the far side of the open grassed area, we noticed birds dropping to the ground and on looking more Chaffinch were noted then I picked up the movement of a slightly larger finch, a bird we had hoped to find here, a Hawfinch in the end we saw 2 but others could have been in the longer grass as we could see movement but could not identify them. Blackbird and Greenfinch were also seen before we had to leave. We arrived at the car park near Speech House and while waiting for latecomers Robin, Treecreeper, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Woodpigeon, Jay, and Blue Tit were all added to our day list. We set off into the forest where a pair of Stonechats were seen at Crabtree Hill along with 2 Mistle Thrushes. During the morning we could hear the call of Crossbills and occasionally caught a glimpse of them flying over, but when we got to an area, I think was called Serridge Ridge, we came across a flock of Crossbills singing and displaying all around, a wonderful sight and sound.

Crossbill-Forest of Dean(Bath Birdwatcher)
not the best image but the best i could do with
my bridge camera.


Also seen were lots of Siskins feeding in the Alders and on the way back to the cars we added Raven and Carrion Crow. A round trip of over 3 hours and 5+ miles we were all glad for a rest and some lunch.

After lunch we all reassembled at Cannop Ponds by the lower pond where Mallard, Mandarin, Greylag Goose, Moorhen and Coot were all on the pond.

Mandarin-Cannop Pond(Bath Birdwatcher)

 A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over, but I saw it very late in its flight and disappeared into trees before I could tell the rest of the group. A Grey Wagtail was more obliging when it landed on the ground close to us. A Lesser Black Back Gull was also on the pond. 4 Goosander had been seen earlier but had swum out of sight, so it meant a walk up the pond to find them. Back at the end of the pond seed had been scattered over tree stumps attracting lots of Blue Tits plus a few Great Tits and Chaffinches also a Nuthatch but best of all a Marsh Tit these little birds are fast becoming hard to see, so it was great to catch up with one here. A Kingfisher flew over the lake landing in a tree on the far bank and was enjoyed by everyone. A Dunnock by the side of the pond was our last sighting as we all set off home.


Marsh and Blue tits-Cannop Pond(Bath Birdwatcher)


On the way home Jackdaw, Herring Gull, Cormorant, Magpie and finally a single Buzzard rounded off a great day.

Bath Birdwatcher.



Bath Birdwatcher







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