Fauna of the Forest

Hawfinch

The mix of mature oak, planted conifers and open clearings in the Forest of Dean provides a rich habitat for wildlife. In the heart of the woodland you will find hawfinches, marsh and willow tits among the oaks, and crossbills in the conifers. At the RSBP reserve at Nagshead you could encounter flocks of brambling as well ad pied flycatchers and trilling wood warblers. Bigger birds, like all three native woodpeckers and the ace flyer sparrowhawk, are all plentiful. In winter you may find goosander on the forest ponds and, occasionally, mandarin duck.

Wood warbler

Rarer birds of prey include the goshawk, which prowls the conifer plantations, and peregrine falcons that nest on the Wye valley cliffs. The area should give sightings of fallow deer and you may see badgers as dusk approaches. The forest is also home to several species of bat. In spring, pretty wild daffodils give way to huge displays of bluebells, to foxgloves as the summer takes over, and then to autumn crocus. These beautiful displays shouldn’t be taken too lightly. Experts have estimated that it can take 200 years to establish a continuous carpet of bluebells in undisturbed woodland!

Forest of Dean attractions

The Shambles, Newent

The Shambles, Newent.
A museum of Victorian life, set out as a complete town of shops, cottages, and houses in a maze of cobbled streets and alleyways

Three Choirs Vineyard

Three Choirs Vineyard
Set in 65 acres of rolling Gloucestershire near Newent, Three Choirs produces some of England’s finest wines. You can take a self-guided tour of the winery or watch a video on the history of wine making. Tastings are free and there is an excellent restaurant and shop. The vineyard also organises residential wine tasting and cookery courses.