Trip reports

A day to remember

Sunday, 29 March 2009

The Forest of Dean collieries, and there were many, had very strange names. None more so than New Fancy View. New Fancy View of what? Well, we hoped for a clear view of Goshawk from the top of the old spoil heap, now a wonderful vantage point for watching raptors soaring over the forest. There was always the worry that the weather would be against us but on this occasion we were to be greeted by bright sunshine and a gentle breeze. The short climb to the viewing platform was easily accomplished and optimistically we scanned the skies. From the top of a tree right in front of us a Chiffchaff, first of the year for most, happily shouted his name. Distant views of Ravens drew many pairs of hopeful eyes skywards and eventually Kevin called the Goshawk- fairly distant but confidently identified by him and several of our more expert colleagues. Relief all round. For quite a few of our listers this was a life tick, for one couple this was their first birdng trip and they were ecstatic.

With part one of the mission accomplished we decided to push our luck and try a short twitch, from New Fancy View to nearby Speech House Woods and the oddly named "Boy's Grave", where for several days there had been a Great Grey Shrike- certainly a year tick for most and a life tick for several. Our ever helpful coach driver manouvered into the car park and off we trooped - would our luck hold? Two hundred yards down the track, set up scopes and there he was, sitting on a scrubby bush in full sunlit view. Glorious. It was after taking in this lovely bird that a few people turned their optics on to the nearby woods. What were the small birds moving in the canopy? In among the Blue and Great Tits were Brambling and Lesser Redpoll. And a Treecreeper, on the trunk. Not bad sightings for a quick stop. Oh, and a Goshawk showed over the woods here too.

It was a contented band which climbed back onto the bus to head for Newport Wetlands, a fairly short ride from the Forest of Dean. The sun stayed out to give us a glowing Little Egret on the marsh, while on the sea wall a duo of newly arrived Wheatear - see picture - were hopping around amongst the rocks and driftwood. In a clump of bushes Cetti's Warbler sang lustily but refused to show- a shame but given our luck so far we couldn't complain. Finally we popped down to Goldcliff Pools where, by pre-arrangement, we were able to park the coach in the pub car park. The pub welcomed the extra trade and we welcomed the chance to cool our throats. There were the usual waders on the pools to add to the day's list. And finally it was time to go home, a truly super day that left everyone feeling uplifted and content. It was a day when you knew that birdwatching is just the best hobby there is.