The Forest of Dean and Somerset Levels

Summary

The Forest of Dean is an area of ancient mixed woodland covering an area in excess of 100 square kilometres. This forest is one of the last remaining ancient woodlands in the UK and plays host to a whole wealth of exciting wildlife. Hawfinch, Crossbill and Wild Boar are just three of a range of special wildlife species which live here and that we will be aiming to find with our expert guide.

The Somerset Levels and moors make up a wetland area which includes 32 Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Our visit is timed to coincide with the internationally important numbers of wildfowl found here in winter, such as Wigeon, Gadwall, Pintail and Shoveler. Bitterns are now an established breeding species on the levels and, during the winter, numbers increase with migrants from the continent; we have a good chance of catching sight of one. There are small numbers of wintering raptors such as Merlin and Hen Harriers, with Marsh Harrier more numerous, while the resident Barn Owls can be glimpsed at any time of day. Another bird we’ll be hoping to see is the Starling – or, to be more precise, hundreds of thousands of them, murmurating, in one of the most amazing wildlife spectacles that the UK has to offer.