What wildlife might I see in and around the Forest of Dean?

The Forest of Dean boasts a rich variety of habitats which in turn support many different species, some of them being local specialities.

As well as a range of small woodland birds, you may spot raptors including buzzards, sparrowhawks or even the elusive goshawk, while the forest’s waterways are home to kingfishers, dippers, mandarin ducks and grey wagtails. Woodcocks perform ‘roding’ flights over the forest at dusk, while more open areas are home to nightjars and tree pipits. Woodland specialities here also include pied and spotted flycatchers, common redstarts, wood warblers and marsh tits, amongst the commoner woodland species. You may even be lucky enough to spot crossbills or the large but enigmatic hawfinch.

The forest’s mammals include three species of deer as well as foxes, badgers, moles, dormice and many species of bats. One of our star species, and a favourite among wildlife-watchers, is the wild boar – the best time to see them is at dawn at dusk, but their rootings, prints and wallows can be seen at any time. We are also lucky enough to have reintroduced pine martens in the forest, as well as two families of reintroduced beavers. We can organise walks around the outside of the beaver enclosures for anyone interested in spotting their dams and feeding signs.

Reptiles here include common lizards, slow worms, grass snakes and adders, and frogs and toads are common in the forest pools.

The invertebrate fauna of the forest includes various species of butterflies and dragonflies, and bush-crickets can often be heard at dusk. You may even be lucky enough to spot a glow-worm on warm summer evenings. A local favourite, the dung (or dor) beetle, can be seen throughout the forest.

The habitats of this varied landscape include woodland, plantations, heathland, bog, grasslands and wetland, each of which has its own unique assemblage of flowers, trees and mosses.

To find out more about the guided wildlife-watching walks we run in this beautiful forest, visit ‘What is a safari?‘, or see our bookings page to book your place now!