The Forest of Dean

The holiday from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon was for a group of 8, guided by a bird and wildlife expert. With a 7am start to an evening drive finishing at 11pm, we walked or drove to many different habitats in the Forest of Dean searching for birds and other wildlife. The 60 species of bird and 5 species of mammal sighted, discussed and recorded will be a lasting memory, with scarce birds such as Goshawk, Hawfinch and Brambling being most notable. Naturetrek is a long established tour operator focusing on wildlife worldwide. Comfort and safety for guests is paramount, while the wildlife and their habitats are treated with care and respect. 

T.H. Kent, Feb 22

Chis Griffin our guide was excellent. He has a marvellous sense of humour, great enthusiasm, fantastic knowledge of birds and their calls and was most helpful towards all members of group making sure everyone was able to see all the species we came across at some point. Our group was all so friendly, we gelled straight away and with Chris as our guide this made the trip so exciting, fun and memorable. I would highly recommend the trip to other people. B.C. Hampshire

Lovely hotel and good food. Saw lots of wildlife, the highlights being a family of wild boar, a great grey shrike, and peregrines and little owls at Symonds Yat. Our leader, Tom, was knowledgeable and helpful, and took us to a number of different habitats around the Forest. An excellent holiday which we are hoping to repeat in the future.

F.A. Dorset, Mar 20

A very enjoyable weekend in the Forest of Dean looking for target bird species and mammals of the area. The tour leaders were excellent and worked hard to secure superb sightings of crossbill, hawfinch and goshawk as well as other bird species. Excitement was experienced by those intrepid nighttime explorers who wished to see wild boar and again the tour leaders ensured that there was no disappointment. A large and fierce looking boar was seen within minutes. Later in the evening, under a moonlit sky, a family group of approximately eight members was seen by the road side eating swedes. Torch light assisted the viewing as the group scampered away. Other mammals of the area included fallow deer and rodents.

T.S. Derbyshire

Like entering a different world, we took time to listen and look and enjoy the world around us. Guided to many different birds, their habits in flight and choice of trees or other habitat were clearly explained so our knowledge base grew. Travelling as a small group to wooded glades, lakes, a meandering stream and much more, our guide gave us the space to explore and the direction needed to make the most of each moment. Combined with being amply fed and rested in ideal hotel accommodation when we returned home we felt very blessed to have enjoyed such a special weekend away. Memories of the song thrush and siskin we saw and heard are especially precious.

P. & P.E. Wiltshire

It was a wonderful weekend in the Forest of Dean. Guided by Tom and Greg we saw about 50 different types of birds, some of which are quite rare, and also wild boar and deer. It opened up a whole new world for me as a newcomer to birding. We saw a great grey shrike sat on a tree, swooping down and picking up food for its 'larder', and good sightings of goshawks and peregrine. Tom especially was a very considerate and attentive guide, who made sure that everyone had sightings through the scope. The enthusiasm of the guides was infectious and added to our enjoyment of the experience. The weekend was relaxed, informal, the guides were very knowledgeable, the people on the course were very nice and friendly, and the hotel was comfortable and welcoming.

M.R.G. Derbyshire

A holiday with modest ambitions... simply a weekend birdwatching in the Forest of Dean... turned into a glorious weekend of birding because of our guide's skills.

R.J. Somerset

A small group [12] on a 2 day holiday in the Forest of Dean in a comfortable hotel We were led by 2 expert Ornithologists who knew the area. Many unusual birds seen including a close view of Crossbills feeding on larch cones. We were lucky late on a warm evening waiting on a clearing of the Forest till well after dusk to hear and then see Nightjars. A first for me. Then the most unusual and fantastic finale to the evening was a loud repetitive cry. This would be around 11 o'clock, in the pitch dark stumbling over tree roots with the help of a torch. The leaders gathered the group and went to look with the torch found a fluffy baby Tawny Owl on high up in a pine tree. WHILE WE WAITED THE MOTHER FLEW in and FED it. An entirely nocturnal happening which we were privileged to see. 

B.S. Merseyside

A birdwatching weekend based at the Speech House. A lovely place to stay; excellent food and accommodation and also convenient for the sites to be visited. Places visited included Symmonds Yat and Cannons Ponds. Birds seen included the Goshawk, Peregrine Falcon, Sparrow Hawk, Mandarin Ducks, Crossbills, Marsh Tits and flocks of Hawfinches, Redpolls and Siskins as well as many commoner species. We had a good leader who was very knowledgeable. All in all a very good weekend.

H.R. Bristol

Utterly brilliant leaders. Marcus was superb and so was Greg. It's the best Naturetrek trip I've ever been on. The Forest of Dean is magical.

B.C. London

Good variety of habitats. Level of information given was excellent -not too much detail unless requested. Very good introduction talk. Leaders worked well with hotel staff and position of the hotel in the forest was excellent.

E.A West Midlands

Good flexible itinerary and good mix of sites. Pleased to have reasonable amount of walking and not just getting in and out of vehicle. The leaders complimented each other well and worked well with the group.

N.A. Middlesex

I thought it was well organised with plenty of field time and the hotel/dining worked well. I enjoyed a new to me part of the country and seeing the wildlife, especially the Two-barred Crossbill and Firecrest.

T.T. West Yorkshire

The guides had an excellent knowledge of the local birds and their calls.

M.L. Cheshire

Both leaders really new where to take us to maximise time spent looking at birds. Knowledge great. I learnt lots and saw birds previously unknown!

K.A. Bristol

The whole period had been carefully planned to cover all areas, whilst still flexible enough to cope with any necessary changes and to allow time to cover birds still outstanding.

J.C. Leicestershire

Both Tom and Greg worked very hard and diligently. Their expertise and communication skills were excellent. Very cheerful and helpful. Their efforts are very much appreciated and "made" the holiday.

I.V. North Yorkshire

A well organised weekend with excellent leaders who tried hard to find difficult species, based on good local knowledge. A good range of habitats visited. I feel that I really know the Forest of Dean and its wildlife now.

P.C. Leicestershire