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David

Greylag gosings out again: West Park

Greylag gosings out again: West Park

This year’s gaggle of greylag goslings out again last Sunday morning. This time they were stretched out on the path by the lake, basking in the morning sun. Once again, they were guarded by three adults: the parents and another female.

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David

Nettle by a wall, flowering

Nettle by a wall, flowering

A nettle growing between a pavement and a gable wall. The budding flowers and the colour contrast between the green of the fresh leaves and the red of the bricks in the wall caught my eye.

Nettle by a wall, flowering
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David

Small frog on a plank

Small frog on a plank

A small and fairly recent garden pond. A plank leading in to the pond has become a regular perch for a small frog. The frog is one of at least four which have taken up home in the pond.

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David

Hare’s foot inkcaps, West Park

Hare's foot inkcaps, West Park

Hare’s foot inkcaps. New mulch had been spread under lots of the shrubbery at West Park. The hare’s foot inkcaps appeared to have been brought in with this mulch, as there were several of these small patches of the mushrooms, each some distance from the next. By the time I got round to seeing them, they were past their best.

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David

Reed flower tip

Reed flower tip

The furry-looking flower of a reed, not quite at the stage where it is covered with pollen for dispersal on the wind. I had a close-up filter on the camera because I was trying for pictures of insects, so this photo just shows the tip of the reed flower.

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David

Five coot chicks, West Park

Five coot chicks, West Park

More waterfowl hatched in West Park in the last few days. Coot chicks are often the first to arrive, or at least the first which can be spotted from the shore. This nest, in the lee of one of the islands and catching the sun from early each day, tends to be the one where the first coots hatch.

Five chicks altogether. Three were already very active, following the parents and demanding food. They must have already been out for a day or two. The others were staying on the nest. Possibly they had only hatched earlier that morning.