Wildlife from Wolverhampton and nearby
The cormorants which are currently spending time on West Park lake have adopted a preferred perching area in one of the spots also favoured by herons when one makes an occasional visit to the lake.
This heron had arrived when the cormorants were already well ensconced, occupying the fallen tree in some numbers. Instead, it had chosen to settle very near the top of the closest tree, where it was watching the cormorants, its rivals for poaching the lake’s fish stock.
The cormorants which have landed up at West Park seem to be sticking around, at least for some time. There’s at least one pair of adults, with juveniles making up the numbers.
Probably ten birds altogether. It’s hard to be certain. Quite frequently, a bird or two will fly off, or another will fly in. Sometimes they may be staying within the bounds of the park, to prospect for fish in the other arm of the lake. Sometimes they gain height as if they are venturing a little further afield.
One of this year’s cygnets on the lake at West Park, twisting and turning its neck in what looked like impossible contortions as it preened feathers on its back.
The first time we saw this year’s cygnets, when they were still young and downy, there were only two of them. Now, as they’ve grown about as big as their parents, both still appear to be thriving.
More shots of some of the cormorants, currently resident in West Park. Two of the birds, standing on the same branch of a fallen willow as they preen. Meanwhile, a third bird looks on.
Twisting and contorting as it arranges its feathers, one of the cormorants currently resident on the West Park lake, preening. The white feathers on its chest mark it as a young bird.
Fairy inkcaps are tiny mushrooms which appear in tight clusters. They grow on rotting wood, often tree stumps. Colour an vary from brown to grey.