Monday 25th May 2026 - Nagshead & Canop Pond

 

This week’s birding adventure took the 3 Amigos to Nagshead in the Forest of Dean in search of a bird that we are unlikely to see anywhere else that we bird spot. The forecast was for a very hot day so armed with plenty of drinks we set off, I waited until we arrived before I started my day list. On arrival we were greeted by several House Martins flying over and as we set off towards the lower hide a pair of Mallards were in the top pond. The water level was very low and we were told that it completely dried out last year. Continuing our walk we soon added Robin and Blackbird to our lists. David then spotted movement by a nest box and found a male Pied Flycatcher shortly after the female appeared and as we watch both visited the nest box, these birds were the reason we were  as they abandon the nesting area as soon as the chicks fledge and start the long trip back to Africa. After watching for a long time, we moved on towards the hide only to be stopped in our tracks by a Spotted Flycatcher that Bryan spotted close to the hide, this was the only one we saw all day but we did see at least another 4 Pied’s. Another bird then sang out a male Redstart that flew into a tree above our heads. Reaching the pond the only birds we found were 4 Mandarin Ducks. 

Mandarin Duck - (Bath Birdwatcher)

Woodpigeons flew through the trees and Great Tits were seen using another nest box. We were told that the whole area contained some 400 nest boxes. We set off back to the car as it was nearing lunch time, we added Jay and Goldfinch, but we did hear Gold and Firecrest that we failed to find. At the reception centre Blue Tits were nesting in the roof and a Carrion Crow was wandering around the car park. After lunch we moved on to Canop Ponds where we parked above the lower pond here we watched Swallows and House Martins flying down to take a drink, a Pied Wagtail was on a stone by the pond,

Pied Wagtail - Canop Pond (Bath Birdwatcher)

 It was joined by a Grey Wagtail. Chaffinches were feeding on seed that had been scattered around. A Lesser Black Back Gull flew down onto the pond and a Dunnock flew past into a bush. At the top end of the pond was 2 Coots and a single Mute Swan, 3 Swifts then flew down to take a drink. Next we started to walk up the side of the pond when a Buzzard flew into a tree on the opposite side of the pond before being seen off by a Crow. 

Sleeping Mallard - Canop Pond (Bath Birdwatcher)

David spotted movement in the trees and discovered a juvenile Treecreeper and as we watched we found 2 juveniles and one adult, a nice find. A family of Long Tailed Tits were working their way through the trees and bushes to our right when a Raven was spotted in a tree close by. We reached the top pond but a Little Grebe and 2 Moorhens  were the only new sighting of the day. Walking back on the opposite side of the lower pond we found a female Blackcap we had heard many during the day but this was the 1st sighting. Next a Nuthatch flew in close to us and as we walked on a Kingfisher flew past, up the pond. This proved to be the last new sighting here but on the drive home we added Starling, Jackdaw and Magpie. Although it was a very hot day we were able to spend most of the day in the shade under trees which made it bearable plus drinking plenty of water.

Broad Bodied Chaser - (Bath Birdwatcher)


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