Off to watch birds in the Forest of Dean. Wye not?

On Sunday morning (6th) I was up at the crack of dawn. I planned to join the local birdwatching group over in the Forest of Dean, lured by the prospect of seeing a Goshawk or two (they are buzzard sized birds of coniferous woodland. I’ve not seen one before as far as I know). I was wrapped up well (5 layers!) which was just as well as the air way very chilly still by 8.30am when the group met up. It may have been cold but it was a beautiful morning- lots of blue sky and bright sunshine.
Initially we walked around some of the woodland near the Speech House car park. We nearly saw a Hawfinch (which I have not seen before either!) Unfortunately nearly wasn’t near enough and the bird lived up to its species' reputation of being shy and secretive by quickly moving away before any of the group (including me!) got a good look.
Wandering on we had a nice look at a nuthatch feeding on the trunk of one tree, and I passed beneath a noisy jay, getting a good look at that too. We then crossed over the road to overlook a field where it was possible that we might see another hawfinch. The leader of our trip reported that he had seen one fly up from the ground as the group assembled. He cautioned that it was a now going to be a bit of a waiting game, as having fed on the ground the finches retreat up into tree tops for indeterminate spells before plucking up courage to return to the ground. We waited, and waited. Then we gave up and moved off. I expect that as soon as our backs were turned the hawfinches were doing cartwheels across the field!
We then wandered through a section of an arboretum, and some people reported seeing a handful of species here and there. I nearly saw a great spotted woodpecker that someone found feeding at the top of a spruce tree. Just as soon as my binoculars found the relevant spot the bird flew off. Another near miss then.Our walk took us on past an Araucanian pine (“Monkey Puzzle”) about which one member was seemingly knowledgeable. I enjoyed remembering having seen one or two of these in the Villarica Volcano National Park which I made a short taxi ride visit, when I was in Chile in 1990.
Or tour then ended up back at the car park. The leader said how he had found the forest rather quiet generally of late as far as bird life goes. Aparently this may be a sign of a wider malaise in british woodland birdlife, and woodland birds may be in as much trouble as farmland birds have been. I sincerely hope not. At least farmland birds might be rescued by more wildlife friendly policies from the EU etc such as the new subsidies being offered to farm more greenly. But what could reverse problems for woodland birds?
Anyway, you will have noticed that I haven't mentioned goshawks. Well, having given up at this location the leader suggested that we might see various raptors if we were to drive around to the "New Fancy" viewpoint (or something like that.... I didn't know where that was.) I hoped just to tag along being the other cars. However, having left the car park and tried to tail someone I eventually realised that I was actually on my own...no-one was following me. I gave up on trying to find the group, and still have not seen goshawks, but of course with that group's luck today, the chances are that they didn't see one today either!!
Instead of finding the group again I drove on around to Symond Yat, arriving there at the still earlier time of 10.20 a.m. I visited the peregrine observation point with its beautiful view down into the Wye Valley gorge, sun shine streaming down. I had a look through the RSPB volunteer's telescope, spotting a female peregrine resting on the cliff face, apparently having recently fed on a fat pidgeon. I also watched ravens and buzzards souring over the scene. Gorgeous.
Then, I decided to have a walk along the river-side before return to my flask of hot soup (in the car) later. Here I watched three goosanders ("sawbilled" ducks) on the river and enjoyed the tranquility of the place. It was so much more tranquil for being chilly March, rather than flaming June or July. The summer brings with it the school or scout campers, tourists etc etc!....Nevertheless, even then the Symonds Yat area of theWye Valley is a lovely place to spend a sunny Sunday. Or any day!