Disease to Devastate Forest of Dean

The Forest of Dean could soon lose all of its 700,000 larch trees due to a devastating disease. Phytophthora ramorum is an airborne spore, which is carried on the wind and this disease has already infected 36,000 larch trees in the Dean. It is worrying as if the decision is taken to fell all larch in the Dean, it will equate to 880 hectares, or 2.174 acres and this will leave large areas of the forest like a war zone.
One thing however, which we have to be thankful for is the fact that the people undertaking the work will be experts and professional when it comes to Forestry Management.
I am sure we can rely on the Forestry Commission to halt the spread of this disease and we must give them our support as if the decision is taken to fell all larch, it will be a tough decision to make.

If we do lose the larch our wildlife will be affected and one species that will take the brunt of it is the goshawk as this bird favours larch when nest building.
Mature larch are very tall with very few branches low down and this gives the gos a perfect habitat to hunt
Up until recent years the goshawk was on the red list for endangered species in the UK. Their numbers were at critical levels and in some cases they were extinct from many parts of the UK. The reason their numbers plummeted was due to persecution and it is very sad that this time a more natural disaster could have a massive impact on this species in the Forest of Dean once again.
Goshawk build numerous massive nests and they will then rotate between nests year after year, so if the trees come down the nests will come down with them.
This bird will nest in other trees such as conifers and only time will tell what impact the felling of the larch will have on Britain's most persecuted bird.  

Goshawk nest high up in Larch Tree

Closer view of same nest. Photographed from ground level

Female Goshawk

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Rob

Mid Wales

I have been busy clearing snow over the last couple of days and have had no time to venture out with the camera "yet"!
While outside it got me thinking about some cold days spent in Mid Wales with the camera, over the last few years.

Thought I would give my pics a showing.....


Here are a few of the small waterfalls that you see while driving around. Sometimes you have to follow the streams up the side of a mountain for the best shot, but it is worth it, as long as you make it back down in one piece!

I can't go to Mid Wales without taking a trip to Gigrin Farm, near Rhayader, to watch and "try" to photograph the feeding of the red kites!

Sometimes the weather is not on my side, but it is still an awesome sight, to see up to 300 kite's in the sky at the same time.

This is a rare white kite, alongside a red kite. The backdrop is spectacular and helps you to achieve awesome photographs.

Having a rest!

This is a buzzard "I think"? Someone who was also there filming told me that it was a red kite, buzzard hybrid!

Don't know what to believe. What do you think?

Grey Heron's take advantage of the free food, as well as the buzzards!

If you want to know if it is worth going, take a look at this photograph. The dots and specs in the distance are not from a dusty sensor. They are red kites!

Rob

Birds of Prey

Here are a few pics of some Birds of Prey. Three are native and two are non-native to Britain! Do you know which is which?
Pics were taken at the International Centre for Birds of Prey at Newent, Gloucestershire.


White Tailed Sea Eagle.

Great Grey Owl.

Goshawk.

Verraux Eagle.

Red Kite.

Rob

Birds in the Forest of Dean

A few from Friday 11th December. It was cold, but still good to be out.

What's down this hole, I wonder?

Let me see, I've got a longer neck!

Too late suckers, I already found it!

Mrs. Blackbird.

A Greenfinch.

Rob

Animal Communication

Animals communicate just like humans, through being vocal. Most of the time we do not hear them, but I have isolated a few and then slowed them down in the following clip.
You will be surprised at the outcome!

PS: Bonus footage at the end.

The Forest of Dean and its Wildlife in Pictures

This pic vid has sound not music, check it out! Hope you like?

Please comment.

Sightings - March 2nd 2009

New Fancy, no pics today as I was there viewing only.

I x male adder (first sighting this year) on the walk up to the main viewpoint

4 x Goshawk displaying

4 - 6 Buzzards

6+ Fallow deer in the felled area

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A sparrowhawk, Hawfinch (by feeders) and around 10 Gos were spotted earlier in the day, but alas I missed them.

Various Forest Wildlife

I photographed this red kite at the National Bird of Prey Centre at Newent, Gloucestershire.

This grass snake had it's eye on a meal, sadly a strike opportunity didn't happen? Maybe next time?

A female adder on a low tree branch, I used a reflector to bounce the light back under her.

Gigrin Farm Red Kites, Rhayader

Red kites at the feeding station at Gigrin Farm, Rhayader, Mid Wales. I was lucky to see the rare white kite and here he is.