Hornets for BBC Autumnwatch!

On Saturday 1st October I took a film crew from BBC Autumnwatch out into the Forest of Dean in search of wild boar and any other wildlife, which would be good for filming.
I showed them a couple of wild boar wallows and two adders before heading off to an old tawny owl haunt, hoping that he still occupied it? He wasn't there and it soon became evident as to why!
As I approached the roost I could see hornets buzzing in and out, and it wasn't until I got close that I realised they were actually building a nest.
Hornets build their nests in the spring, not autumn and it can only be the insane hot weather we have been seeing lately that provoked them to start building at the beginning of October.
The hornets typical behaviour in early autumn is to leave the nest to mate and shortly after mating the male hornet will die. Towards late October the workers and unfertilised queens also die just leaving the fertilised queens, which survive the winter.

Anyway, I wanted to get some pics and footage of them myself as I knew it wouldn't be long before they realised that autumn is on the way and would soon leave the partly built nest to mate. So I went back out to film and photograph them.
As I approached the nest they were buzzing around my head as they were flying in and out, so I approached with caution as just one sting would have sent out a pheromone, which would have mobilised the whole colony to attack. The sting from a hornet is far worse than that of a wasp, due to their size and venom yield, and as they have no barb on the stinger like the wasp, they can sting multiple times.

I was within a few feet of the nest and noticed a guard hornet sat at the entrance, watching me. As he kept his eye on me, he was also watching every single hornet enter the nest and it was fascinating to watch him rear up like a preying mantis if I got too close, or if a worker hornet got too close to him.

Here he is, watching me as I got as close as possible. Photographed using a 100mm macro lens from approx 6 inches away.



And here he is in all his glory; all 5cm of him!



I had to stretch to grab a shot of the inside of the nest and this is when he reared up like a preying mantis, so it was a couple of quick shots before he told me off!



I then filmed them for around 45 minuets. You can watch the edited version below...
Hornet Film Here

Although I didn't get to film for Autumnwatch in person, I know that these hornets along with wild boar and possibly an adder will be featuring on the first show of the series on Friday 7th October. I hope they liked the varied wildlife I showed them and I also hope it will make for some interesting viewing, even though I have not heard from them since.
My time spent with them, helping to give some unique and unusual wildlife behaviour opportunities should have warranted a thank you at least? Maybe my name will appear in the credits as a special thank you, but I doubt it.
Sorry to finish on a duff note, but without people like me they would have to work a lot harder and probably wouldn't stand a chance of finding hornets building a nest in October!!!

Rob

"I recieved a text message from a member of the film crew thanking me for my time, helping them find the hornets, adder and wild boar wallow(s)."
It was a pleasure to help and would love the opportunity to help again in the future. It was a bit surreal watching it on TV!

Rob

Adders in the Forest of Dean

The first 4 images below are of a male adder, but not just a male adder, a melanistic male adder. This is the first one of this kind I have found in the Forest of Dean, so I am well chuffed.

The last image is of a common male adder.

Melanism is the occurrence of an increased amount of dark pigmentation in the skin, which is also evident in feathers, hair and even the eyes.

It is the opposite of albinism.

Rob

Spawning Frogs

Photographs taken at a pond on a local nature reserve. The water level was quite low and a lot of the spawn was exposed and drying out!
While photographing the frogs I kept looking at the spawn, wondering how long it could survive out of water.
I didn't know the answer to this so I moved it carefully back into the water. It may rain tonight and all may have been fine, but I didn't want to take the risk!
Last year this same pond was full and the spawn was all submerged or floating in the water, but this year is totally different!


Here are some pics taken at the pond over the last couple of days.

Rob

Wood Mouse

This was taken with my Blackberry as I really didn't go out to photograph wildlife, but I guess it just finds me.
It is a wood mouse and it was running around on some grass not far from me and a friend, so we stood still and watched it for a few seconds before I hit the dirt!
I have had plenty of elbow stalking practice lately with the deer, so I went for it.....

Closer and closer I got and it was still sat there munching on its biscuit! I actually got so close my phone could not focus and this is the picture.
It was still sat there munching away when we left, amazing!

Rob

Ninja Skills!

I spent a couple of hours trying to sneak up on fallow deer today. I think I have used up all my Ninja Skills though, as I managed to get quite close!


This young doe took ages to walk out between the trees, but patience sometimes pays off.


I was too impatient and this was my second shot, I spooked him with the first!

It was pure luck that this fella moved his head just as I was looking in his direction or I would never have seen him. Had some serious crawling to do to get closer though!

This was about the best angle and as close as I could get without spooking him. He was dozing nicely and he scared himself a couple of times, making himself jump.

Rob

Resting Fallow Doe

This is a hand held grab shot as I didn't want to disturb them, so I didn't mess around with the tripod etc.
I found three fallow deer doe's lazing under a tree in the spring sunshine, chewing the cud while struggling to keep their eyes open.
It's always nice to see wildlife acting natural and this is one of a series of photographs, which shows her slowly closing her eyes for a mid morning nap!

Rob

A Few From Today

A few from today.....


River Severn at Awre
Male Adder

Little Grebe just before a dive

Mallards having a territorial battle

A Coot

Rob

The Snake and the Egret

Had a wander before the light levels dipped today. So much for the weather forecast saying it was going to rain! Blue sky and sunshine all day.

And you know what likes sunshine?

He was out basking and as it takes a long time to warm up at this time of year, he was very obliging and let me snap him with my macro lens.

Canon 100mm - f/2.8

(Male Adder)

Then I photographed this Little Egret at Lydney

Rob

Cannop Ponds

Had my new camera arrive today, Canon eos 7d, so I paid a visit to Cannop Ponds for an hour to put it through its paces. The sky went grey and the sun vanished, but it came back out and the sky turned blue as I left. Typical!
Never mind, will give me an excuse to do it again tomorrow, if the weather lets me that is.

Here are some pics from the grey day. I need help identifying a duck please, if anyone can help?

Reed Bunting

Robin

Long Tailed Tit

This is the duck I need identifying please.

Mandarin (male)


Rob

Some Deer and a Chaffinch

I allowed myself an hour for lunch today and decided to take a short walk with a friend. Its surprising what you can see if you are quiet!


Fallow Deer

Chaffinch (male)

Rob

First Adder of 2010

And some birds of course!

Well the sun was blazing and there was only one thought in my head. Adders!

The temperature was still pretty low, around 6 - 7 degrees, but the sun was strong and there was little wind, so I knew I stood a chance.

There is a young male that I watch every year. I have been watching him for the last 4 years and sure enough he was out, basking in his favourite spot. His eye looked very sharp, but he needs to slough to show off his true magnificence.

He was on the other side of a fence, but I still managed to get a couple of pics of him. I try not to disturb them, especially at this time of year as they have just emerged from hibernation and need all their energy to hunt and survive. The last thing they need is to have to keep moving around because of people ramming cameras in their faces.

The time for pics will come later.

Here he is...

I then left him in peace to catch some more rays.

Moving on, I put some food out for the birds and hung around for a while, hoping for a hawfinch sighting, but it was the usual story I'm afraid, so you will have to settle for these three.

Cole tit soaking up the sun

Lucky little Nuthatch

A male Chaffinch trying to work out what the bright orange this is in the sky!

Rob

Wild Boar Control

Below is an article featured in a local newspaper this week. Mr. Goulding carried out the filming for Countryfile, which I was originally lined up for.

As I have said many times before, wild boar young are not weaned until they are 3 months old. So if the findings are correct, Martin has confirmed my fears.
Young boar are being orphaned and left to endure a slow, painful death.
This is not scaremongering as I have been accused of in the past, it is a fact and a very harsh one.

Rob

The Bird and a River

Well the clouds broke for a bit today, long enough for me to get out with the camera and feed the birds at New Fancy.

Just the usual stuff around. chaffinch, robin, nuthatch, greenfinch, cole tit and so on, but the chaffinch's were hovering well, so I decided to try and catch some in flight shots. The light levels were still quite low, so don't expect any great shots!

Then I decided to take a walk down by the River Severn at Awre. Couldn't stay long, but this is definitely a place I will be going back to.

Rob

The Good and the Bad

Two bits of news, good and bad.....

Firstly... As some of you will know I was supposed to be filming for Countryfile this coming Tuesday. The focus was to be concentrated on the wild boar. They are still filming, but unfortunately they will not be using me!

I received a nice email from the producer explaining that they will now be interviewing a member of the Forestry Commission. She did however, make it clear that the Forestry Commission had not bullied them into this decision?!?!?!?!?!?!? Oops got carried away there with the question marks and exclamation marks!

On a more positive note, they will also be interviewing Dr. Martin Goulding. If you have not heard of him, Mr. Goulding specialises in wild boar and his contribution will be factual based.

Secondly... I did manage to get a slot on the radio this morning, talking about the Forest of Dean, my photography and what it takes to get a decent photograph. I have added some pics to spice it up a bit.

Rob

Forest of Dean Visitors Guide 2010 Available now (Free)

Link below for a free to download or free posted FoD Visitors Guide 2010.

Yours truly covered the majority of the nature and wildlife images.

Female Adder
Wild Boar
Bluebells
Fungi
Fallow Doe (main pic)
Rally car

Link here: http://www.visitforestofdean.co.uk/explore/guides-and-downloads.aspx



Thanks

Rob

Lord of the Flies!

I have not posted any pics for a while, so there will be a few at the end of this post.

First of all, BBC Radio Gloucestershire will be broadcasting a series next week about "going undercover" and they kindly asked me to contribute.

Going undercover can be represented in lots of ways, from detective work, to tracking and finding wildlife. That's my bit!

I have already recorded my segment and will let you know when it is on. I will also post a direct link.

Look out for it, it will be very interesting.

Here are some pics...

Now we all know that wildlife is not always cute and cuddly. The following pics show just that.

Even though they are hairy and ugly, they are still fascinating!

If you have made it past the flies, here is a cute Dunnock for you!

Rob

Chepstow Wild Boar Talk

Tonight at very short notice I was asked to attend and contribute towards a planned talk by the Forestry Commission at Chepstow Leisure Centre.
The talk was to be dedicated to the wild boar in the Forest of Dean, but sadly the Forestry Commission had to pull out.

There were between 80 and 100 people in attendance and I am pleased to say it went very well. I tried to be as informative as possible and every question was answered to the best of my knowledge. The round of applause at the end was just tremendous.
We were in full support of the Forestry Commissions reasons for pulling out and we also made it quite clear that we will be fully supportive of their management plan for the wild boar, when it is put into place.
If anyone reading this attended the talk, thank you for coming and supporting your wildlife. I hope you enjoyed the photos and video.

Also a big thank you to Gwent Wildlife Trust.
http://www.gwentwildlife.org/events.htm

Rob

BBC Radio Glos Feature - Wild Boar

Wild Boar.

Below is a link to my radio interview with BBC Radio Gloucestershire, which went out earlier today.

Firstly, there are a few points I would like to make as there is always a lot of editing involved if you are not live and not everything comes over as said, or as it is meant to be perceived...

1. In my interview, I mentioned that the Forestry Commission has a hard job and that I respect them as they do a fantastic job managing our forest and our deer. I also said that I would support the same policy for wild boar management. This was not aired!
2. The road verges do not repair themselves overnight, nor do they repair themselves when the ground is frozen. The majority of road verges have been clean for quite some time, this means that there has been a decrease in boar activity.
3. Click this link to a "This is Gloucestershire" story from the 3rd January 2010, where a Forestry Ranger confirmed a wild boar cull. Something, which is now being denied. This is why we mentioned the "legal" Forestry cull. http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/gloucestershireheadlines/Wild-boar-culled/article-1667370-detail/article.html
4. My "ONLY" reason for helping to form "Friends of the Wild Boar" is to help this species get the protection in needs and deserves in the UK. I am not looking for recognition and I am certainly not looking for financial gain. The Llama Trekking is Mr Fraser's business and has nothing to do with me or "Friends of the Wild Boar" and it should not have been mentioned.

I have no interest in any business venture whatsoever where the wild boar, or captive animals are concerned and I will never highlight a wild boar location to the public, unless I am 100% sure that it has moved on from the area. This animal needs to be left alone!

I think about our wildlife 100%, not myself and not anyone else. This creature needs a voice and I am going to give it one.

Mr Guest said that our comments were just scaremongering. Well Mr Guest I can assure you that the only scaremongering going on is all the lies and false gossip, which is and has been doing the rounds since the boar arrived in the Dean. Perhaps a statement from you in the local press giving the public the "FACTS" would help. Or would you like me to do it?

The vast majority of people in the UK watch wildlife documentaries on the TV and comment on how people in foreign countries should work harder to learn to live with their wildlife, which are viewed as dangerous by most. Then along comes a wild boar in the UK and they are too scared to walk out of their front door! Practice what you preach!

I am not doing this to make friends or enemies, I am doing this to help a controversial creature survive.

1st part (skip to - 1h 15min 27sec) 2nd part (skip to - 2h 36min 04sec)http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0065c3g/Mark_Cummings_03_02_2010/

Rob

BBC Glos Radio Feature

If anyone is interested, I will be talking on BBC Radio Gloucestershire on Wednesday 3rd Feb from 8am.
It was recorded a few days ago and is dedicated to the wild boar in the Forest of Dean. The show will be available throughout the day by clicking the listen again link.

Click Here: BBC Radio Glos


Thanks

Rob

Gloucestershire Big Cat Footage

Make your own minds up, but personally I think that there is no doubt as to the size of this animal.
Also, if domestic cats had muscles like these, they would be chasing the dogs around. CCTV footage.

Click Here: Big Cat Footage