David

This heron was on the look out for fish on an island in one of the pools in the Warren Hall & Bumble Hole LNR. It was totally unconcerned by several anglers who were nearby.

At this stage the elderberries were almost blending in colour with the leaves behind them.

Lots of fruit are developing very early this year. These sloes were beginning to ripen before the end of July.

A tortoiseshell butterfly feeding on thistle flowers. It looks more dowdy when the wings are closed to reveal their under sides (middle picture).

According to the plaque the boulder is rhyolitic lava from north Wales, brought to the midlands on the Ice Age glaciers. It was found in Fullbrook and raised in its current position by the main lake in the Arboretum in 1925.

This young coot was just beginning to develop the white bald patch on its forehead.