David

Every few years, waxwings begin to run low on winter food in Scandinavia, and there is an “invasion” of these colurful birds which can sometimes reach the far south. It isn’t looking like like this is going to be one of these years, so here is a reminder of the last time they were here in large numbers. That was back in the snowy January of 2013.

A large bank of last year’s bracken, dry and browning, by the edge of a narrow side road at Quatford.

Female blackbird on the parapet wall of the old canal Bridge at Newbridge, eating a small amount of grain someone had scattered on the stones. She had just, too quickly for me to get mu camera out, chased off another female which had landed first to eat the food.

Side pool of the Avon at Stratford, with the red of the bare branches of a dogwood bush on the shore and its reflection in the water adding a touch of colour.

Distant views of a great spotted woodpecker hunting ants on an otherwise deserted playing field in Shottery on the outskirts of Stratford on Avon.

Collared earth star fungi seen on the same walk. One set growing by the footpath across the South Staffordshire Golf Club, Tettenalll. The others growing in a front garden near Newbridge.