Forest of Dean evening wildlife safari
What you'll do
The Forest of Dean is an ancient woodland home to all kinds of mighty and mysterious creatures.
Venture out on this evening safari just before the cloak of darkness settles in. Watch in awe as the forest's secretive and shy wildlife begin to resurface for the night. Wild boar, fallow deer, bats, and foxes emerge. Consider yourself even luckier to catch a pine marten or an otter!
During the spring and early summer, the evenings echo with the sounds of woodland birdsong from robins, song thrushes and blackbirds. Woodcock display overhead while tawny owls hoot in the twilight. You might even make out the sound of a churring nightjar.
Cannop Ponds come alive with waterbirds: mandarin ducks, mute swans, little grebes, kingfishers, dippers and grey wagtails. Safaris a little earlier in the day may reveal the local Forest of Dean birds: crossbills, siskins and hawfinches. While you're taking in all of these, don't forget to pay attention to all the butterflies, lizards, glow worms and woodland flowers. This experience is a feast of the eyes.
Upcoming dates
What you'll do
The Forest of Dean is an ancient woodland home to all kinds of mighty and mysterious creatures.
Venture out on this evening safari just before the cloak of darkness settles in. Watch in awe as the forest's secretive and shy wildlife begin to resurface for the night. Wild boar, fallow deer, bats, and foxes emerge. Consider yourself even luckier to catch a pine marten or an otter!
During the spring and early summer, the evenings echo with the sounds of woodland birdsong from robins, song thrushes and blackbirds. Woodcock display overhead while tawny owls hoot in the twilight. You might even make out the sound of a churring nightjar.
Cannop Ponds come alive with waterbirds: mandarin ducks, mute swans, little grebes, kingfishers, dippers and grey wagtails. Safaris a little earlier in the day may reveal the local Forest of Dean birds: crossbills, siskins and hawfinches. While you're taking in all of these, don't forget to pay attention to all the butterflies, lizards, glow worms and woodland flowers. This experience is a feast of the eyes.
How to get there
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Facilities
- Outdoors
- Parking
- Wheelchair accessible
COVID-19 guidelines
The activities are held outdoors at a time when there are little to no other people around and social distancing is easy to achieve. Participants will use their own transport and only those not experiencing any Covid-19 symptoms will be permitted to attend.
Your host Ed follows the current government guidelines on groups sizes. The covid-19 risk assessment is part of the overall risk assessment completed.
On the day
The safari times can vary depending on the sunset - these will be advised on booking
You will be out for around 2 hours and walk approx 1.5 to 2 miles (2.4km - 3km) at a steady or slow pace taking in the scenery, sounds and wildlife along the way
Walking is along well-surfaced tracks and you are able to venture off onto smaller paths and gentle uphill or downhill terrain
Torches, binoculars and weather-appropriate clothing are advised
Changes happen, don't worry
About Ed Drewitt
Ed takes guests out on adventurous experiences in the Forest of Dean. His speciality? Uncovering its wildlife and helping others to identify birdsong. Ed's your go-to guy for experiencing the incredible sounds of the dawn chorus when birds wake at first light and sing. At dusk, he'll guide you on a wildlife safari as you search for secretive large mammals like fallow deer and wild boar. Maybe you fancy exploring the forest's special birdlife that isn't found in Bristol - Ed knows just how.
View more experiences by Ed DrewittYour host
Ed's got a passion for wildlife. He enjoys taking people out to see and experience it. Ed offers training courses on identifying birds and their songs. He has been studying urban peregrine falcons for the past 20 years and is the author of Urban Peregrines. He's got an educational background so is always on a quest to learn new things.
What people are saying
A regular walk brought to life with the relaxed but informative style of Ed Drewitt
Ed was a great guide who had so much knowledge of the nature, history and geography of the Forest of Dean. His enthusiasm is infectious and he led us on a fascinating early evening tour on which we heard wild boar and signs of their digging and wallowing. We saw fallow deer, Woodcoks flying, Mandarin Ducks, greylag geese and other water fowl. We also heard lots of bird song which Ed was able to identify for us but even i could recognise the owl hoots (Tawny Owl).
It was a great evening.
Very enjoyable walk and I learnt lots from Ed, who is very friendly and knowledgeable.
Any questions?
Ask your question directly to Ed Drewitt.
Upcoming dates
What people are saying
A regular walk brought to life with the relaxed but informative style of Ed Drewitt
Ed was a great guide who had so much knowledge of the nature, history and geography of the Forest of Dean. His enthusiasm is infectious and he led us on a fascinating early evening tour on which we heard wild boar and signs of their digging and wallowing. We saw fallow deer, Woodcoks flying, Mandarin Ducks, greylag geese and other water fowl. We also heard lots of bird song which Ed was able to identify for us but even i could recognise the owl hoots (Tawny Owl).
It was a great evening.
Very enjoyable walk and I learnt lots from Ed, who is very friendly and knowledgeable.
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