Common Pheasant (Harbour Road)

Sorry, but it was raining most of the day, so I pictured this one.

Common Toad (Lydney, Harbour Road)

The Toad, stylish and good looking? I came upon this fellow while I opening the gate to get in the sort of nature reserve. A lady with her was a nice dog, who (not the dog), was going to hold the gate, but the toad wouldn't go. So, I took a load of pictures.

Nuthatch (Cyril Hart Arboretum)

It looks like its rather old, or is it pecked by babies?

Moss, Algae or something

Which one do I call it? Algae, Moss or even particularly something that is growing on a tree stump. Tell me if you know?

Swallows (Naas Lane, Lydney)

The male tells the female, "there is no time to lose", but she says, "I can wait for a little time, about three weeks". "A couple of weeks, but I'll be all flapped out", says the male.

Great Spotted Woodpecker (Cyril Hart Arboretum)

I was very busy, so I didn't have much time. I took this one, a female GS Woodpecker.

Orange-tip butterfly (female)

The underside of the Orange-tip is very nice, but it is with the female, which more than the male can give. They are typically, a bit of an orange tip, and its beautiful.

King of the castle. Mandarin Duck (Cannop Ponds)

I love this Duck, it is standing and waiting for his female, purposely looking for anything bad to do her harm. What a good boy!

tipula maxima (crane fly) (Harbour Road, Lydney)

A type of Crane Fly, in Latin it is tipula maxima. I thought that you would say, cor he knows a thing or two, but I had to look inside a book.

Willow Warbler (Parkend)

It is cropped, as you can see. It's a long way away, but it is beautiful. The wonderful sound that comes out of its beak is melodious. It last for an age, or close to it.

Peacock butterfly (Harbour Road, Lydney)

The back of the Peacock butterfly. I found it when I was chasing after the Brimstone butterfly, but it was too fast in and out of bushes.

Green Tiger Beetle (Boys Grave)

Not due until May, but that isn't bad, we are almost in May. The Green Tiger Beetle is ferocious, it runs away when you get too close! It is an active predator, it really is. It is seen May - July.

Orange-tip butterfly (Harbour Road, Lydney)

It's a good looking butterfly, a lot of them around at this time of year. It starts flying in April - July, and that is all you get.

The nice man who helped in getting a gate for the piece of land, has done it! Well done Mike, from the Gloucestershire county council, it makes you think, its the person who makes it.

Tufted Ducks (Harbour Road, Lydney)

I said that I would update you about the Wild Boar, but I am on my way out for a short time. Maybe you have to wait, sorry!

Spider

Well, the meeting.......in general, it was mostly for the Wild Boar, with a little bit on the bad scene. I'll tell you more about it, tomorrow, I think. Now. I am tired. Tatty bye.

Swallow (Lydney)

This happened yesterday, but I was too busy to put it up. And this for instance, will be the last day I will publishing the meeting about the Wild Boar. It starts at 6.30pm at the Forest council offices, in Coleford. Tomorrow. Don't be late!

A roadside flower

This was on a journey to the endless life, the world expanding and divulging. What a load of rubbish!
It was a dismal day, drizzling all morning and it was almost the same. So, it was a bad day for a "pix" man. Never mind, there is always another day!

Cob Mute Swan (Lydney)

I had heard of the Cattle Egret on the Marshes, I followed the herd of cows looking for them. But, it didn't like me. No Cattle Egrets! I wasn't there at their eating times, maybe early in the morning. So, I was left with the Swan.

Blue Tit (Foxes Bridge)

Not a surprise to see this bird, but always to good picture. It wasn't good to have all the people around, being Easter weekend, and there is another day. I think I'll try somewhere else tomorrow, and hope that the people will not bother with it.

Peacock butterfly

The first of this species, I mean the Peacock, this year. And, it is the meeting on April 16th.

Reed Warbler (Lydney)

Well, it's here. The first of the year. It wasn't very good, the weather didn't help, but it came anyway. Now, it's time to remind you of that meeting, it is only 5 days to be there, at COLEFORD.

Common Gull (Lydney)

Save the Wild Boar from being killed in the Forest of Dean!

The meeting is only 6 days away, on the 16th of April at 6.30 pm held at Forest Council offices in Coleford.

Cormorant

What a beautiful day, sun is shining, not a cloud to be seen. Ah, its a splendid day and the evening! So I will shut up and silently get on with things, or do nothing.

Robins (Cannop Ponds)

It isn't every day that you see this happening, but, it is time for mating.

Bee (In my garden)

I was bored, the light was bad enough, but, a bit too much for photographing. So I decided to go shopping, buying all that food and drink and washing stuff. Well, I was disgusted at the prices of these things, especially when we are in a recession. How do "they" think we should do about it?

Reed Bunting (Cannop Ponds)

I went to Cannop Ponds, something I normally don't do, especially Sundays. Of course, it was crowded with people, not a sheep among them!!!!!!!!!!!!! But, all of the other sites where I usually linger, there were crowds. I think that the Forest Commission have something to blame, making all the forest a giant fun ground. And, for one thing, it is slaughtering the Wild Boar.

Grey Squirrel (Cyril Hart Arboretum)

It is the Grey Squirrel.

Jackdaw (Lydney)

Here is a request from David Slater:
Dear All.

To let you know there will be a meeting, on what is probably the death knell, of the future of the wild boar in the Forest of Dean.

It is on the 16th April (see below).

It seems many meetings have already been held to decide a strategy, but the public are having this one sliver of a chance to have their say. To my knowledge, very few wildlife fans have been asked their views, nor indeed anyone who has been up close to or studied the dean's wild boar in any detail.

It all seems to hinge on the perception of huge numbers of boar here. They're everywhere, like terrorists keeping us in our houses, tearing up gardens and roadsides and killing our dogs at the slightest whim. One recent traffic collision with a van will be presented as evidence against the boar.. But to my knowledge, no other examples exist. Similarly, beechenhurst picnic site was dug up recently, but the FC has done nothing to repair it. This too will be used in evidence that the boar are a menace.

As I'm sure you all realise, the boar p[opulation has run for cover recently. Numbers of sightings are well down on last year. it is no coincidence that sightings are down when the FC have several rangers on daily patrols with a shoot to kill in mind. Whether this is FC policy, or whether these rangers are acting as "hobby hunters" outside the remit of the FC needs to be known.

Also, we may all have noticed that last years diggings are almost invisible now, often with new flowers that encourage insects and so on up the food chain. Diggings seem to be concentrated along the roads and footpaths where nice grass is tastiest. These rooting will provide seed beds for next years flora etc. It should be good news, after all, the damage to roadsides made by tyres and litter never gets a mention in the press, so why should the boar? Maybe because they have no cash value yet? If they had wool, they would be welcomed, whether or not they are a menace to cars and gardens!!!!

Could you all please stand and be counted by sending to the Council (joanne.moore@fdean.gov.uk) your views on the matter, with a particular reference to your frequency of sightings this year versus last and before.

PLEASE DON'T ENCOURAGE THE FOREST TO BECOME A HUNTING GROUND FOR HOBBY HUNTERS.

Isn't it bad enough we have to listen to the guts of squirrels being blasted at by these sad folk from the FC and Hunting Colleges. The squirrels are goshawk food and yet the FC go disturb goshawk nest sites now becuase they want a fun day out with their pals at the FC! What next, moles. Have you seen the mess they make along the road (eg between pygmy Pinetum to Beechenhurst)?? Come on, lets put the environment before cash and bloody hobbies. Have your say. Let rip......


In warmth,

Dave

(Please pass this on to whoever you know - by no means do i have everyones email who i know look for or photograph the boar)

Dear Mr Slater

Thank you for your coments.

Please may I reassure you that the council only wish to consider issues relating to the escalating number of wild boar in the forest and the potential problem this might create for the district in 3, 5 or 10 years time, if not effectively managed at this present time.

At the request of the Forestry Commission, the wild boar task group was established by the Community Scrutiny and Review Committee in January 2009 to undertake a short review of the situation and to provide the Forestry Commission with a clear mandate on how best to interpret government policy on managing the situation. It is anticipated that a full report will be presented to the scrutiny committee no later than June 2009.

The group have met on several occasions, including invitations to various interested parties, with the intention of obtaining a clear understanding of some of the issues relating to this escalating concern. It is not the council's intention to take action itself but rather, to make a series of recommendations to the Forestry Commission on what is perceived to be the best way forward. The general consenus appears to indicate a need for increased awareness of the potential implications that might arise from an influx of wild boar and how such potentially damaging and hazardous situations might be effectively and humanely managed.

There is a meeting at the council offices at 6.30pm on 16 April 2009 with a presentation from Dr Martin Goulding and Dr George Peterken to which you are very welcome to attend.

I hope this information provides a little reassurance in that it is with the best interests of the local community that such concerns are being addressed.

Joanne Moore Democratic Services Officer 01594 812624 joanne.moore@fdean.gov.uk

More Spring trees

Every year, I talk about the trees. Well, I'M NOT GOING TO...............................

Pied Wagtail (Moseley Green)

I went to a Public House, called the Rising Sun. I was not alone, I was with Pete, my brother. We talked about lots of things. But later on, we talked about the computer, it's really his job, and the camera, and how I can use them. I thought that I knew it all, but he showed me something else. It's wonderful.