The Forest of Dean

Tour Code: GBR47

A 3-day break focusing on the birdlife and other natural history of the Forest of Dean.

3 days from
£475

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Highlights

The Forest of Dean covers an area of about 100 square kilometres and is England’s second largest expanse of ancient woodland. From our comfortable hotel base in the heart of the forest, we will make daily walks exploring the surrounding trails during the day, and on one evening head out in search of Wild Boar! We will hope to see flocks of Siskin and Redpoll as well as Brambling and one of the stars of the forest - the Hawfinch. Mandarin Duck and Goosander should be present and we’ll also look for Dippers on the rivers.

Hawfinch likely
Redpoll, Siskin, Crossbill and Brambling all possible
Look for declining species such as Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
In March, see Goshawks doing territorial displays
Birds of prey in the forest including breeding Peregrines
Led by expert naturalist guide

We also offer this holiday in late spring/early summer when the woodlands are home to Pied and Spotted Flycatchers, Redstarts and Wood Warblers along with many other species. We’ll look for these and visit a clearing at dusk to look - and listen for - Nightjars. For this holiday please see The Forest of Dean in Spring.

Whichever time of year you choose, this is sure to be a memorable birding break!

Situated in west Gloucestershire, and bordered by the river Wye and the Severn, the Forest of Dean is England’s second largest expanse of ancient woodland. The forest — a magnificent mix of Oak, Beech, Hornbeam and other species, both deciduous and coniferous — covers an area of over 100 square kilometres and is home to an exciting variety of birds, rare butterflies and other wildlife.

This new short break focuses on the special birds and other natural history of the forest at two contrasting times of the year: winter and spring. We will be based at a comfortable hotel in the heart of the forest, from where we will make daily walks to explore the surrounding trails. Our focus will primarily be on the forest’s special birdlife, though there will be an opportunity to head out after dark one evening to look for the Wild Boar which inhabit these beautiful woodlands — an encounter with one of these impressive mammals is always memorable!

During the winter and in early spring, large flocks of Siskins and Redpolls can often be heard ‘chattering’ amongst rows of Alders, and flocks of Brambling can be found. We will also look for Mandarin Ducks and Goosander on a nearby lake ... and for Dippers on the rivers. We will be hoping, too, to see such sought-after species as Crossbill and Hawfinch, along with such declining species as Willow Tit and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.

As well as a comprehensive selection of commoner birds of prey in the forest, there is also a healthy population of Goshawks, which we will look out for in March when they should be displaying high above their territories; nearby, we will also look for breeding Peregrines. At the time of our late spring visit in May, the woodlands are home to both Pied and Spotted Flycatchers, Wood Warblers and Redstarts among many other species. Firecrests are also now breeding in the forest, and good numbers of Nightjars may be found in clearings — a dusk excursion to listen to the incredible ‘churring’ of the latter is likely to be one of the highlights of this birding break!

DETAILED INFORMATION

Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive

Day 2/3

Explore the Forest of Dean

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What's Included

What's Included?

Accommodation: Comfortable hotel with private facilities throughout.
Food: Breakfasts and evening meals are included in the holiday cost beginning with the evening meal on Day 1 and finishing with breakfast on Day 3. Lunches are not included in the cost of this tour.

Reviews

A long weekend to explore the Forest of Dean in exceptional March weather. We were up at first light and in the field all day and continued after dinner for evening drives to see the elusive Wild Boar. Superb views of Hawfinch, Firecrest and Goshawk amongst the best highlights. The guide provided was local and excellent.
L.D., Nottinghamshire, Mar 25
On our first morning, before breakfast, we saw 19 hawfinches - amazing! It was nice that all the locations were close to the hotel, so time in the minibus were kept to a minimum. It was also interesting to go out in the evening to look for mammals and owls.
B.V. Leicestershire, Mar 23
I spent a great two days discovering the wildlife of the Forest of Dean. With the weather favourable and an excellent guide leading, we tracked down around 70 bird species including at least 10 I’d not previously seen. Our base was ideally located and enabled quick access to several varied and often spectacular sites. We packed an awful lot in, but were never rushed and this allowed a fuller appreciation of both the area and its abundant wildlife. This was quite a demanding couple of days, but extremely enjoyable. Naturetrek provided first class pre tour information. Booking was very straightforward and everything ran very smoothly in the field. Accommodation provided was of a high standard. Food was very good. Restricting the group number to 8 also enhanced the overall enjoyment.
R.T. Berkshire, Mar 22

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

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Dates & Prices

2026

Departures Availability Cost

Fri 6th Mar – Sun 8th Mar 2 £475

Book Tour Show Details

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£475

Single Room Supplement:

Single Room Supplement.

£95

Fri 13th Mar – Sun 15th Mar 3 £475

Book Tour Show Details

Land only cost:

The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.

£475

Single Room Supplement:

Single Room Supplement.

£95

Tour Leader:

Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary

Dan Watson

Tour Leader: Dan Watson

Dan has been fascinated by the natural world from an early age, and has been a keen birder for over two decades. His formative years were spent in Norfolk, where he cut his birding teeth between his home in the Brecks and the wilder parts of the coast.

Following the completion of his undergraduate degree, he now works as an senior ecological consultant based in Newport, where he utilises both his passion for all aspects of ecology as well as his natural ability to communicate to a range of people.

When Dan isn’t working in consultancy, much of his spare time is spent birding. He has been fortunate enough to have travelled extensively, having undertaken independent trips to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Ethiopia, Namibia, Morocco, Uganda, Zambia, Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua and Canada, as well as across Europe.

To date, Dan has observed approximately a quarter of the world's birds, as well as over 250 species of mammal. He has contributed to a number of scientific papers and BTO surveys, and was a committee member of the Somerset Ornithological Society.

He dedicates time each spring and autumn to observing migration in his native Norfolk, and in Pembrokeshire, as well as studying more elusive species such as Hawfinch, Goshawk and Lesser-spotted Woodpecker near his home in the Forest of Dean.

Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

Enquire

Tour Reports

Tour report - April 2022

Tour report - March 2020

Tour report - February 2020

Tour report - March 2019

Tour report - February 2019

Tour report - March 2018

Tour report - February 2018

Tour report - March 2017

Tour report - February 2017

Tour report - March 2016

Tour report - March 2015

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