It was nice to have another go for Wild Boar in the Forest of Dean. Phil, Martin and myself were there nice and early and we were surprised to see there was still snow there and the road to Cannop Ponds was closed due to ice. Well we had a good walk up Crabtree Hill but we saw very little apart from hearing Common Crossbill over head and 6 Fallow Deer in the mist but no sign off any wild Boar. Well we went back to the car for a much needed brew where we got talking to a guy, he had seen them in the last couple of days and was shocked we had not seen any and to finish us off he took his phone out to show us a video, he was so close he took videos with is phone arrrrrrrrrr. So as the rain had arrived early we decided to get out of the forest and head for Slimbridge. It turned out to be a good plan and we got all we went for. It's always nice to the Bewick Swans and other highlights were Little Stint, loads off Ruff and there was two Water Rail by the Willow Hide also we got to see the captive Smew which of course the Drakes are crackers.
This Smew was in a holding pen and getting already to be released like that dodgy Wilson Phalorope a couple of years ago .
I thought this photo looks better upside down ,
Wilson Phalarope clean as the driven snow. He He.
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