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A haven for birds

One of the truly special, last places in Britain to see the Red Kite. At Fforest Fields we have a multitude of birds to satisfy the more seasoned bird watcher and the amateur birder alike.

With such a diversity of landscape and an eye to the environment you can expect to see many of the more familiar birds and some which are in decline in other parts of the British Isles.

We have Lapwings on the tops of the hills where the Skylark still trills high above you. You can be woken in spring by the wonderful calling of the Curlew and sung to sleep by the Mistle Thrush. Spot a Peregrine stooping or a Raven calling her young. The farm is home to several Buzzard nests. Smaller birds abound with our policy to protect the hedgerows by cutting and laying them to give a dense, safe haven. Over the past years Goldcrests, Greenfinches, Willow Warblers, Linnets and other small, indigenous birds have nested within the safety of the campsite. It is not unusual to share your breakfast with a cheeky Chaffinch or find a Sparrow in your tent!

We are particularly fond of the Swallows that return every year to nest amongst the beams near the toilet block. We even put up with the mess by the ladies loo because of the swallow who has nested just above the door for the last couple of years! Children delight in watching the babies being fed and seeing them take their first flight.

You really can marvel at the diversity of birdlife we have in this area. With moorland, marshland, woodland and riverbeds all within a short walk of each other. Unspoilt by pollution or noise, you can clearly hear the wonderful dawn chorus-many people tell us that they remember it from their childhood but have not heard for years because of the traffic noise where they live. Makes you want to get up in the morning!