Join us as we explore the Forest of Dean and further afield into the Wye Valley to observe a whole variety of different species ranging from wild boar to firecrest.
The vast wooded areas of the Forest of Dean and Lower Wye Valley are geographically and culturally distinct places, situated on the western side of the county of Gloucestershire, with the River Wye forming the boundary between England and Wales. The once remote Forest of Dean is a roughly triangular sandstone plateau of over 42 square miles of near-continuous managed woodland, while the contrasting Lower Wye Valley is a more spectacular landscape, long visited by the first ever tourists, with its deep gorge with pale limestone cliffs and primeval ancient woodland. Between these two very different areas there is an abundance of wildlife found within an unspoilt landscape.
We will be based in the heart of the Forest of Dean, ideally situated for short excursions, some on foot. The wildlife of this once remote area is truly outstanding, and includes some scarce and sought-after wildlife, including woodland birds, and a unique mammal fauna found nowhere else in the UK. Specialities we hope to see include goshawk, peregrine, nightjar, dipper, nightingale, pied flycatcher, firecrest, wood warbler and hawfinch, with mammals including wild boar and even the chance of recently reintroduced beaver and pine marten. Depending on which month during the spring and summer, an abundance of dragonflies, butterflies, orchids can be found, including scarce and local species.
Typical Itinerary
Day1: Arrive in the Forest of Dean & afternoon excursion
This afternoon we arrive at our accommodation where we meet our leader in the reception of the hotel before checking in.
Later in the afternoon we head out on our first excursion of the trip and we can either walk directly into the woodland from our hotel or take a short driven excursion. We can walk to the nearby Cyril Hart Arboretum, or alternatively visit Crabtree Hill, a nearby grazed heathland restoration project.
This large open area often hosts such species as tree pipit and stonechat, with possible goshawk and crossbills. This evening we can also take an optional twilight and evening walk if the weather permits and if we feel up for it on our first night, looking for wild boar, deer, tawny owl, woodcock, and nightjar.
Accommodation: 3-nights, The Speech House Hotel
Days2-3: Explore the Forest of Dean & Wye Valley
On our first full day exploring the Forest of Dean we will take in a few key locations, one being the RSPB’s wonderful Nagshead Reserve with its oaks and mixed woodland, with some veterans planted here in the 19th century for the English Navy. Following the nature trails, we have chances of seeing redstart, hawfinch, wood warbler and pied flycatcher. The pied flycatcher colonised the Forest of Dean due to nest boxes put out in the 1940s, and the monitoring of these nest boxes since then makes it the longest-running nest monitoring project in the UK. Other species we may see here and throughout the forest include buzzard, goshawk, mandarin duck, dipper, grey wagtail and crossbill.
The following day we venture to the eastern side of the Forest escarpment and into the Severn Vale. One of the main species we’ll be hoping to encounter today is nightingale at the RSPB’s reserve at Highnam Woods, close to the city of Gloucester. Here, the nightingale is at the very western extremity of its world range. After, we visit Symond’s Yat Rock, probably one of the most beautiful and iconic views in all of England, and of course is home to its famous nesting peregrine falcons. The high promontory, accessed through impressive Iron Age earthworks gives dramatic views over the River Wye and south Herefordshire. Many of the resident breeding birds will often pass beneath us from our viewpoint, including peregrines and ravens commuting to their nests on adjacent limestone cliffs.
Day4: Morning excursion & departure
This morning there is time for one last outing in the Forest of Dean where we may observe some species that we haven't seen yet, before returning to the hotel where the trip draws to close at midday.
Key info
Duration and price excluding international flights: 4 daysfrom £795 pp
Barry has a degree in ecology and a lifelong interest in nature which led to a career in nature conservation and habitat restoration working for the RSPB and the Woodland Trust.
A keen general naturalist and dendrologist, Barry has lived in Australia before returning to the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley, working as a forest ranger and also sharing his passion for nature as a local guide. His travels have taken him worldwide, with a particular fondness for Europe and the Arctic.
Situated in western Gloucestershire close to the border with Herefordshire, the Forest of Dean is one of the last remaining ancient woodlands in England with the Wye River running along its western edge. It is a place steeped in history and teeming with wonderful flora, fauna and landscapes.
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