Back out in the Forest

Saturday 17th February 2007
An early start with Andy, and we headed for the Forest of Dean in cloudy but bright conditions. Fist stop was Wenchford, where two Dippers were on the Bybrook around the lower bridge. I captured a few shots as one flew towards us and under the bridge we were standing on (photos: Paul Masters). Then Parkend, at least four Hawfinches were in the trees near Parkend Beech, on the other side of the cemetery we heard and then saw two Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers high in the larches, also around were 25 Redwings, two Buzzards and a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming. At Mallards Pike just a Raven, and by the time we reached New Fancy View the mist and murk had descended and we saw just two Mistle Thrushes. At Cannop Wharf there was a Lesser Redpoll and nine Mandarin. We then left the forst and checked out Lydney Marsh to find 80 Tufted Ducks and a Little Grebe, and at Lydney Harbour there was a male Blackbird with white head. Then a stop at Beachley gave us just one Oystercatcher, one Curlew and one Cormorant. Then at Sedbury as we crossed the bridge over the Wye into Chepstow, a Peregrine flew overhead and into Gloucestershire.

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