Category: David

Black sedge growing by the edge of the canal (Meccano Bridge in the background of one picture) with paler pollen. An earlier post shows the same species before the pollen muted the black.

Last time I visited Pool Hall finshing lake there were at least two pairs of great crested grebes, and a singleton.

One pair, already featured, had newly hatched chicks.

One of the second pair was still on the nest, by the reed bed, while its mate patrolled the water nearby.

At the end of the lake was a lone bird, swimming around in the middle of the water, a little too far away to take its picture.

A rare sight these days. An elm tree on the edge of Berkswell churchyard, grown large enough to flower. Perhaps it is one of the elm species which is resistant to the disease.

Mallard drakes resting on one of the weirs carrying runoff from the canal near Compton. At least one of the birds was actually alert enough to be keeping an eye on what I was doing

Greater stitchwort flowering by the side of a lane.

Can be distinguished from the lesser stitchwort because the plant is taller with larger flowers (d’oh). Flowers about an inch in diameter, about twice as big as the other’s. Greater has petals which are split to about half way down.

Whitethroat singing (and therefore male) from a tree overlooking Mops Farm bridge on the canal near Castlecroft. He was so focussed on singing to proclaiming his territory that he barely moved although he could see me standing almost below him.