Onto the Forest of Dean and our next target the Grey Shrike on Crab Tree Hill. After parking up we took a forest track that led us up to a patch of heathland. Coming down the track were a bunch of friendly birders that had seen the Shrike but it was fairly mobile. It didn't take long for us to spot the Grey Shrike another stunning bird. Although I could only get distant shots we had fantastic views through our binoculars and that's what counts!
No Hawfnches on this visit or any sign of Goshawks from the viewing area at New Fancy so we decided to visit Cannop Ponds. Lovely to see good numbers of the striking and colourful Mandarin Duck.
On our way home we stopped at Aust hoping to see a Short Eared Owl. A good number of birders were gathered also hoping to see the Owls but alas they didn't appear perhaps a bit too windy for them. We did however see a Merlin whizz past.
A grand day out even though we only saw one of our target birds we also met some great birders and enjoyed the magic and beauty of the forest to the full. We will just have to do a return visit soon!
Grey Shrike a first distant view
A little closer a typical Great Grey Shrike pose
Warm sunshine on its back the Cormorant closes an eye
A group of Mandarin lurking amongst the tree roots
A handsome fellow
Eye to the sky perhaps looking at a Buzzard overhead
Sails up, the males get these incredible feathers during breeding
Female Mandarin
Cormorant on Cannop ponds
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