Category: David

Soldier beetles and other small green insects feeding on the same thistle flowers – attractive to many different species.

Destroying angel mushrooms – as nasty as the name implies. A fungus which had a central role in a 2001 episode of Midsomer Murders, which included a reasonably accurately portrayal of the symptoms of destroying angel poisoning.

Not a fungus I have often seen around the west midlands, it may have been brought in with the wood mulch.

CORRECTION: identified by Lukas Large as rose-gilled grisettes

The deep purple flowers of purple loosestrife at water’s edge, standing out here despite being dwarfed by bullrush leaves.

The same young great crested grebe featured in the previous post. When I passed the same way a couple of days later, the bird was swimming right past the narrowboat moored by the Ceeders Social Club. As it went by, its wake created swirls in the reflections of the bright paintwork of the boat.

Young great crested grebe which has taken up residence on the canal at Castlecroft. Possibly one of this year’s brood of one of the pairs on the lake at Pool Hall Fishery nearby.

Seen about an hour ago: common sandpiper on the lake at West Park.

First spotted flying across the arm of the lake nearest the city centre. Landed on a fallen, bare tree by the island on that side of the lake. It seemed totally unconcerned by the other, larger, birds nearby.

Turned around several times, stretching its wing. Then, after a few minutes, flew away under the bridge.