David

At the start of this month, the West Park Canada goose goslings were once again out on the grass near the lake, busy feeding under the supervision of their parents. All five originally hatched were still there, growing fast.

The wildflower meadow area of Bantock Park at the start of this month, and the commonest wild flowers showing were buttercups, including this bank of them next to a footpath.

A coots’ nest by the island on West Park lake, half hidden by the branches of an overhanging tree. On the nest, a coot chick contorts itself to preen. It was probably just big enough for adult feathers to start replacing its juvenile down.

The West Park greylag goslings are growing up fast. Here they were seen early this month, still shepherded by their parents, but now growing more and more of their adult feathers.

Hare’s foot inkcaps: a second batch this year have sprung up on an area of recently-spread wood mulch in West Park, presumably brought in with the wood chips.

A paperbark maple in Bantock Park. As I walked into the park one morning, the sun was directly behind the tree, backlighting the peeling bark.