Fantastic forests
To mark the Forestry Commission’s 100th birthday this year, here’s a selection of great UK forests to head for on your next birding trip…
Watching birds in our forests is a pure delight, so here are a selection to head for on your next trip
We all need forests. Trees provide sanctuary and inspiration. Created in the wake of World War I, following the passing of the Forestry Act in 1919, the Forestry Commission is now England’s largest landowner. It leads world class research and actively manages 250,000 hectares of forests to benefit people, nature and the economy. The Commission is also the Government’s expert forestry advisor and works with other landowners to help protect, improve and expand England’s forests.
Protecting and improving biodiversity across Britain’s forests are both part of the Forestry Commission’s remit. The Commission has received criticism in the past for its reliance on conifers, particularly the uniform appearance of conifer forests and concerns over a lack of biodiversity. However, the Forestry Commission has been steadily improving the value of its woodlands for wildlife. The large blocks of conifer associated with the earlier plantings were beneficial to some species such as Long-eared
Owl, Nightjar, most members of the tit family, Goldcrest, Crossbill, Siskin, Pine Marten, Polecat and Roe Deer, but the greater emphasis on diversity now favours a much wider range of species, including broadleaved and open ground specialist species.
Moorland and mixed conifer
The Goyt Valley is in the Peak District National Park, close to the Cheshire/ Derbyshire border. The River Goyt flows through the valley where there are two big reservoirs. The landscape is varied with a mixture of moorland and mixed conifer/ broadleaved woodland on the slopes. Spring and summer is of greatest interest, with breeding Cuckoo, Wood Warbler, Spotted and Pied Flycatchers, Redstart and Tree Pipit, as well as Nightjar on restock areas, plus common woodland species.
Goshawk and Long-eared Owl are also present. Dipper and Grey Wagtail may be found on the river and Common Sandpiper
on Errwood Reservoir. Red Grouse, Curlew, Short-eared Owl, Ring Ouzel and Whinchat breed on moorland areas. Mammals include Hedgehog, bats, Fox, Badger and Red Deer.
Famous Peregrines
The sleepy village of Symonds Yat in the Wye Valley, within a few miles of the Welsh county of Monmouthshire, straddles the eponymous river on the border of
Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. The spectacular hilltop site on the edge of the Forest of Dean is owned by the Forestry Commission but manned by the RSPB daily from late March to early September.
In 2011, I worked a season here as one of the wardens overseeing the famous pair of Peregrines that nest annually within sight of the rock. Both rock and falcon have held a special place in my heart ever since. From April to August, telescopes are set up so that the public may watch them on the nest. The cliff above the Wye is the ideal viewpoint in summer for viewing Peregrine, Buzzard, Goshawk, Raven and woodland species.
Ground nesting species
Hicks Lodge is a former coal mining site within the National Forest in Leicestershire that has been totally transformed by new plantings and trails. Habitats include new native woodland, with occasional European Larch, rough grassland, open seasonally grazed fields, lakes and ponds.
The largest lake has two small islands, one of which is managed for Little Ringed Plover and other ground nesting species. Key birds include raptors such as Sparrowhawk, Red Kite, Buzzard, Kestrel, Hobby and Peregrine. Common wildfowl provide interest in winter, plus a good range of tits, summer warblers, finches (including Crossbill) and buntings at other times of the year. Wader records include
THE FORESTRY COMMISSION LEADS WORLD CLASS RESEARCH AND ACTIVELY MANAGES 250,000 HECTARES OF FORESTS TO BENEFIT PEOPLE, NATURE AND THE ECONOMY
Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Golden, Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers, Bar-tailed Godwit, Temminck’s Stint, Common Sandpiper and Greenshank. Migrants on passage including Black Tern, Cuckoo, hirundines, Spotted Flycatcher, Whinchat, Stonechat and Wheatear.
New forest
Five miles to the south-east, Sence Valley Forest Park is located within the National Forest, too. It is also situated on the site of a former mine where, between 1982-96, eight million tonnes of coal were extracted by opencast mining. Habitats include new forest (native broadleaved, mixed and pine), rough grassland, wildflower meadow, pools, wader scrape and the River
Sence. Key birds in spring and summer include Little Ringed Plovers, Common and Green Sandpipers, Redshank, Sand Martin (artificial nesting wall), Whinchat and Wheatear. Dunlin and Greenshank are possible, with possible rarer species such as Wood Sandpiper. Sky Lark, Yellow Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Linnet and Reed Bunting feature. Quail is possible, while Barn Owl and Kestrel are regular. Wigeon, Goosander, Stonechat, Siskin and Lesser Redpoll are all likely in winter.
Red Kite reintroduction
Several miles north of where I schooled at Oundle, Fineshade Wood in Northamptonshire is part of the former royal hunting forest of Rockingham Forest. A section of the wood is publicly owned, and part leased by the Forestry Commission. Habitats include ancient woodland, coniferous woodland, Beech woodland, open areas and a small pond.
This was the centre of Northants’ Red Kite reintroduction scheme and there are a wide range of other birds of mixed woodlands found year round, such as Goshawk, Buzzard, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Marsh and Willow Tits, and Crossbill. Summer brings Turtle Dove and warblers, while Hawfinch feature in winter.
The wood has a regionally important population of Adder. Other reptiles include Grass Snake, Slowworm and Viviparous Lizard, while mammals such as Badger and Fallow Deer may also be seen. Orchids including Greater Butterfly, Common Spotted and Early Purple feature, as do other flora of ancient woodland.
Largest county forest
Covering more than 4,900 acres, Hamsterley Forest is the largest forest in County Durham. Its habitats include commercial woodland, mixed and broadleaved trees. Key birds in spring and summer include Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatcher and Redstart, while Fieldfare, Redwing and Crossbill all feature in winter. Green Woodpecker, Jay and Dipper are found all year round. The hay meadows have a wide variety of plants including the local and declining Globeflower.
Mighty mammals
Holding no less than 200 billion litres, Kielder Water in Northumberland is the largest reservoir in the UK by capacity of water. It is surrounded by Kielder Forest, one of the largest manmade woodlands in Europe. There has been a successful Osprey breeding programme here for the past decade, with five pairs now nesting annually. Other key birds in spring and summer include Goshawk, Raven, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Redstart and Siskin. Winter brings winter thrushes, Crossbill and Siskin, while Tawny Owl, Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers, Jay, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Song Thrush and Dipper are found year round.
There is an impressive display of Northern Marsh Orchids at the entrance to Kielder Castle, while notable mammals include Red Squirrel (half of England’s population), seven bat species, Badger, Otter and Roe Deer.
Waders galore
Moors Valley Country Park and Forest is situated in Ashley Heath, Dorset, on the border with Hampshire. Habitats include river, wet meadow, lakes, scrub, broadleaved woodland, large coniferous forest and golf course. Key birds in spring and summer include Cuckoo, Nightjar, Sand Martin, Whitethroat and Tree Pipit. Wood Lark and Sedge Warbler are occasional. In winter, Gadwall, Teal, Pochard, Snipe and Lesser Redpoll are of most interest, with occasional Goosander and Brambling. Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper and other waders occur on passage. Buzzard, Lapwing, Woodcock, Little Owl, Kingfisher, Dartford Warbler, Grey Wagtail, Crossbill and the usual woodland species are found year round.
Twenty species of dragonfly have been recorded and good numbers of butterflies and other invertebrates occur. Mammals include Grey Squirrel, Rabbit, Fox, Badger, European Roe Deer and Reeves’ Muntjac, while reptiles are represented by Adder and Slowworm.
Eagle watching
Each year from April to September, the Mull Eagle Watch offers ranger guided visits to view Britain’s largest and most impressive bird of prey, the White-tailed Eagle. This is a joint venture between the RSPB, Forestry Commission, Scottish National Heritage, Mull and Iona Community Trust and Police Scotland. Purpose built hides for observing nesting White-tailed Eagles are situated on a large sea loch with tidal mudflats at its head at Loch Beg. Apart from White-tailed Eagle, other raptors in the area include Golden Eagle, Hen Harrier and Buzzard.
In winter and early spring, it is possible to see Eider, Red-breasted Merganser, our three commonest species of diver and Slavonian Grebe on the loch. Waders can be seen on muddy areas at any time of year and Otter sightings are common.
Centenary celebrations
The Forestry Commission is marking its centenary with an ambitious programme of public engagement across England’s forests, including ‘The Big Forest Find’, the largest survey of forest biodiversity to have taken place in England. Seasoned and budding wildlife enthusiasts will be invited to take part in expert led events to discover and record the rich biodiversity in their local forests. The nationwide survey will provide data of forest biodiversity that can be referenced in the future.
PK Khaira-Creswell, director of the Forestry Commission centenary programme, said, “For our centenary, we’re celebrating our rich and varied history while looking ahead to the future. This includes exploring ways to make our forests more resilient, so they remain healthy and teeming with wildlife for the next 100 years. We also want to inspire others to share our passion for trees and forests, getting outside and enjoying the magic of the forest.”