The video shows the piglets playing, play-fighting and suckling milk.
2 weeks later...
Two weeks since my last post, when I posted footage of the new-born wild boar, less than a day old, I managed to catch up with them again. They've since left the nest they were born in, and are having fun exploring the forest in the care of a group of 4 sows, including their mother.
Old Tusker and the new-borns
I've been busy lately with various wildlife projects, not least the wild boar here in the Forest of Dean. This picture shows a huge male boar. He's stood next to a 'normal' sized adult female, so you can see the size difference. Here's a shot of him sharpening his tusks on a tree...
Here's a short video of him. He does a yawn exposing his tusks, and a shake and a stretch. He's been busy the last few days as he's been desperate to mate with one of the females in the group. When I first saw him he was frothing at the mouth and quite aggressive - classic signs of a rutting boar, even though it's not normal rutting time at the moment.
While 'Old Tusker' was busy trying to sow the seeds of new life, one of the females in the group was preparing for new life herself, and yesterday she gave birth :) It was a real treat to see the piglets on their first day, however viewing was very limited as they're in a 'nest' of dead fern and bracken near some dark trees. Getting closer would have been risky to both myself and, more importantly, the piglets themselves. There are currently 4 sows caring for these little ones. This morning the sows were covered in frost where they led, as they kept the piglets warm. Here's a little bit of video of them as they scrambled over the sows trying to find something to suckle...
Old Tusker and the new-borns, originally uploaded by Ben Locke (Ben909).
Wild boar video
A video of a sounder of six wild boar in the forest, including a particularly large male.
Beyond Dreams
This was taken from the rock shelves of the River Severn at Awre on the outskirts of the Forest of Dean during sunset.
Roe Deer
This roe buck was photographed in the Forest of Dean after an already successful day looking for adders and wild boar. Although the roe is by no means rare, it's rare to see them here in the Forest of Dean so I was particularly pleased to see this one.
FOD Visitor Guide
A couple of wild boar piglets that I photographed last year, now being used for the cover of the 2012 Forest of Dean Visitor Guide.
Spring 2012 Wild Boar Piglets
It's been a while since I posted anything to the blog. I've found 3 different groups of wild boar with piglets so far this year. This shot was taken last week. I was going to go out again today, but after a week of warm(ish) sunny days, it's now snowing!
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