Somerset Wild Walks: Symonds Yat & Aust 13/3 Goshawks & Short Eared Owls

A very early start to beat the traffic leaving Weston saw us on the road at 06:20 to reach the Forest of Dean. After crossing the first Severn crossing we headed for New Fancy in the Forest of Dean in the hope of seeing Goshawks. New Fancy is supposed to be one of the best areas for seeing Goshawks a bird that we have never seen.

After a short climb to the top we settled ourselves in and took in the amazing view and vista across the forest scanning and searching the skies for a Goshawk. A Great spotted Woodpecker, Bullfinch and Coal Tits came and went but alas we saw no Goshawks.

After about an hour or so and after looking at Google ref Goshawks we decided to chance our luck at Symonds Yat which was only a 20 minute drive away.

We have never been to Symonds Yat and wow what a stunning, beautiful place. Set in a Forest environment a short walk takes you to the top of the rock which looks down onto the twisting River Wye and the forest and fields beyond. Quite honestly the view took our breath away.

A group of birders were already there and at once they made us welcome by telling us what could be seen. A couple of Peregrines were sitting in a tree nearby and would probably nest in the cliff side.

It wasn't long before someone shouted Goshawk and there it was gliding across the valley our first ever Goshawk. What struck us was the size of the bird, like a "Sparrowhawk on steroids" someone mentioned. We saw another 3 Goshawks during the time we were at Symonds Yat, other birds of note were Canada Geese, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Nuthatch and a couple of Stock Doves another new bird for us.

We left Symonds Yat with a promise to return. Our next stop would be back over the bridge and a visit to Aust Warth in the hope with catching up with the Short Eared Owls. We arrived at Aust at 1:30 for our lunch and already a few people had gathered to see the owls. It wasn't until 4pm that the Owls showed but wow it was well worth the wait. 4 owls made an appearance and at times they seemed to come so close you could almost touch them. What a privilege to see such a beautiful bird and watch it hunt across the grassland, almost jaw dropping! What a perfect end to a brilliant day.