Anser day trip to the Forest of Dean 31 March 2007

Northern Grey Shrike at Cannop/Parkend Forest of Dean

Adder at New Fancy View

31 March 2007 We began birding from 0730 where we made Hawfinch our first target of the day, this was near Parkend. After hearing 3 drumming GS Woodpecker and watching 5-6 Lesser Redpoll, Siskin and a female Brambling by the car we also saw Jay and other woodland birds before seeing/hearing c 15 Hawfinch. A flock of c20 Brambling were also in the same area. A search of the Cannop area produced c10 Mandarin, 4 Treecreepers, 6 Nuthatch, drumming GS Woodpecker, c15 Redwing, 3 Chiffchaff, Coal Tit, a few very bright Siskin, 3 Bullfinch, 4 Little Grebe, a singing Blackcap and Grey Wagtails.

A search from New Fancy View produced one displaying Goshawk but this bird was distant and the conditions were worsening (windy, cold and a mist shrouded the valley) hence only a couple of us saw it. Up to 8 Buzzard were on the wing and pairs of Siskin and Raven were noted but otherwise it was quiet. Three basking Adders was the highlight of our visit here. A return to the Cannop area produced the Northern Grey Shrike that was hunting from the tree stumps.