Today's Visitors.

[Caran]



https://www.dropbox.com/s/wtgrxjcmyz7iegf/File%2004-02-2018%2C%2020%2034%2047.jpeg?dl=0

Two deer came to see me and eat carrots today. As you can just see there is an awful lot of damage to the grass. We have been invaded by wild boar the last few days. We have been lucky up to now as lots of places have been getting damaged for a very long time now.
At the last count there were more than 1500 wild boar in the forest. They are going to cull them but I don't know how successful that will be. Each deer can have up to six babies at a time and can have more than one pregnancy per year.

[shoota]

'Each deer can have up to six babies at a time and can have more than one pregnancy per year.'
Do you mean boar sow? Deer have one or two offspring once per year, with the exception of Muntjac who can get pregnant shortly after giving birth.

[Caran]

Sorry meant boar can have up to six babies.

[shoota]

Where do you live Caran?

[murraymints]

Boar did that damage ? I'd be greeting ....

[Caran]

Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire shoota.

[gness]

Never mind the damage to the grass, Caran......you're so lucky to be able to take pictures like this...... :-)

[shoota]

Greeting: 'Hello boar....'

[Caran]

All the grass verges in the forset are totally dug up.
Lots of people have lost their gardens to them.

[gness]

No you'd not, Minty.......as I told Mrmusthavetheperfect lawn...it's only grass.....fun and delight on the grass is so much better..... ;-)

[shoota]

Wouldn't be a safe shot though, all those houses in the background...

[Caran]

I know I am very lucky gness. These two today were having a bit of a rut. The noise of the antlers clashing was very loud.
These aren't my usual that eat out of my hand. The darker one does all he can to prevent the other one eating.

[shoota]

Green knees?

[gness]

Yours will be if you keep mentioning safe shots!.... ;-)

[Caran]

We are about half a mile from the main forest so they wouldn't be shooting any round here.

[shoota]

Both deer and boar will spread outwards when the population density gets too great.
They walk amongst us...

[Mamyalynne]

As wonderful as they must be to see from a distance, you'd be worried about small children walking in some areas.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jan/11/wild-boar-bites-off-man-fingertip-forest-of-dean-gloucestershire

[Old_Geezer]

Looks like time to get the barbie out. Or at least a large spit.

[shoota]

I had a rack of wild boar ribs in Germany some years ago and it was possibly the nicest meat I have ever eaten.

[Caran]

We get wild boar sausages in the shops, quite nice.
Actually bought wild boar steaks in Lidl!