Forest of Dean - Canop Ponds

After a tasty breakfast we took a very short drive down the B4226to Canop Ponds. I had noticed the Forestry Commission car park there yesterday and thought it might be worth checking out.
Unfortunately the weather wasn't great with drizzle in the air. We walked up some steep woodland which was very muddy to get to a track surrounded by fir trees on both sides.
 The track leads to a series of man made ponds.
The lower pond was created in 1825 to supply water to a waterwheel at Parkend Ironworks.

There were again signs of Boar activity all over the place but still no Boars sadly.  There was however a very protective Swan on the water though. He was really giving the Ducks who were just minding their own business hell!
He was going out of his way to chase the poor creatures from anywhere near the Pen who who was on the nest.

Once again there were some lovely brightly coloured Mandarin Ducks. It was a bit strange because they were very close to the nest and they didn't seem to bother the male Swan (cob).

Female Swan (Pen)

Mandarin Ducks

Mr Angry Swan

The Forest of Dean or simply 'The Dean' as it is also known is made up of  110 square kilometres (42 sq mi) of mixed woodland. One of England's finest surviving ancient woodlands. It is the second largest forest in England after the New Forest.The location in Gloucestershire lies between  between the River Severn and Wye and is great for exploring.

Mandarin Ducks are very interesting
(well I think so).

They were introduced to the UK from China and

 have become established following escapes

 from captivity.
They nest in cavities in trees close to water and during the spring, the females lay their eggs in the tree's cavity after mating.

More Mandarins