Bird watching holidays UK

Enjoy birdwatching at our UK locations

You don’t need to be an expert birder to enjoy a birdwatching holiday in the forest. Across all 13 of our locations, we are lucky enough to spot a variety of different birds throughout the year. Many birds can be found hidden amongst the trees along our woodland trails and spotted straight from the decking of our log cabins.

If you’re planning a bird watching holiday, we recommend getting started in Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire or Cornwall.

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What types of birds can I expect to see in and around the forest?

You are likely to see common birds such as Blue Tits, Robins, Chaffinches, Nuthatches and Treecreepers at most of our locations all year round. During the spring and summer, you may also hear from Woodpeckers, Chiffchaffs and Wrens. During autumn and winter, Jays, Tawny Owls and the UKs smallest bird, the Goldcrest can often be spotted.

If you are lucky, you could spot elusive birds such as Willow Warblers at Garwnant, Crossbills at Glentress Forest, Nightjar at Thorpe Forest and Kingfisher at Deerpark.

Are guided bird watching walks or Forest Ranger sessions available?

Our Forest Rangers across all 13 locations run a Guided Woodland walk every week. On the guided tour of the forest, you’ll take in some unforgettable views whilst learning a thing or two about the wildlife who call our forests home, including birds.

You can also take part in a birds of prey experience at Sherwood Forest, or head 15 minutes away from Delamere Forest for falconry taster sessions and an introduction to Owls for children.

Are there binoculars or spotting scopes available to hire or purchase on-site?

Binoculars for children can be purchased in the Forest Retreat, as well as bird feeder kits that are to be taken home. We would recommend bringing your own binoculars with you if you are looking to make the most out of your birdwatching holiday.

Are your cabins positioned to allow bird watching directly from the decking or hot tub area?

The hot tub and cabin decking is the perfect spot to look out for birds. Whether your cabin is positioned in the woodland, meadow or open glade, different birds will be attracted to different habitats.

Do you provide maps or digital guides to help identify local species?

The app Merlin is great for helping to identify bird species from their unique song.

For families with children, are there child-friendly bird spotting activities?

Seasonally, birds are a key focus in our Mini Forest Ranger activity, helping children learn more about the little things with wings that fly around the forest. The session will allow them to become mini bird-detectives, learning about migration and how to spot birds. Please note, this session takes place from autumn-winter, with bugs taking the spotlight each spring-summer for our Mini Forest Rangers. There’s still a lot to learn about birds in both sessions, especially as many bugs are an essential part of the food chain for birds living in the forest.

Do Forest Holidays locations have hides or sheltered viewing areas?

Our location in Strathyre is the only forest to have a hide for watching both birds and Red Squirrels, however, your cabin, the hot tub, decking and the Forest Retreat offer the best sheltered areas to look out for birds.

If you speak to our Forest Rangers, they can suggest some areas around the location that will be the best for bird watching.

Do your rangers provide photography tips for capturing birds in the forest?

Our Forest Rangers can offer tips on where and how to spot birds in the forest the help give photographers a better chance of capturing the perfect shot.