Category: David

Hoverfly which was resting on holly leaf, perhaps trying to warm itself in the December sun.

Lone male pochard on the lake at West Park. Whenever I notice it, it seems to have found a quiet patch away from all the other birds on the water.

Bold robin, facing me as it stood on a nearby park bench. Not sure if it was challenging me or asking for scraps.

The bench was the bird’s regular perch – and toilet.

Fruit of a shrub, originally from the far east. One of the plants grown to bring some late autumn / winter colour to West Park.

Tawny funnel caps, quite common mushrooms with a depressed centre to their caps. Usually found popping up through leaf litter, and might be around for a few more weeks yet.

It seems that quite often there are several herons on the small islands on West Park lake, in positions where they must be aware of one another’s presence, but apparently standing trying their best to deny that.

On this occasion there were two of them directly opposite the Conservatory. One was balanced on the protective railing, the other a little further back in the bushes.

A few minutes later, a third heron flew in. It landed on the rail on the opposite side of the island.