Many thanks to Alan Rosney for leading 12 participants on today’s enjoyable GBC field trip to the Forest of Dean. For the most part we avoided wet weather and even had sunshine at times!

Birding highlight was surely a Great Grey Shrike at Crabtree Hill which gave good views perched on various trees and shrubs and then hovered Kestrel-like for some time. Peregrines and displaying Goshawks were seen from the New Fancy viewpoint, a Hawfinch and Sparrowhawk were at Parkend near the cricket ground, and Mandarin ducks were seen on a small pond near Kensley Lodge and again at Cannop Ponds.

Full species list (41 species):
Mute Swan, Mandarin Duck, Gadwall, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Goshawk, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Peregrine, Moorhen, Coot, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Grey Shrike, Jay, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Raven, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Wren, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Robin, Stonechat, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Hawfinch.