Category: David

A squirrel on the grassy area by the upper pool at Perton, busy eating. Every so often it would finish off whatever it had in its front paws, dig at the ground, and grab another handful.

It’s not too late to rush out now. These pictures were taken about a month ago, when bluebells were just about opening. But they’re still worth seeing if you head for your nearest wood.

The next coot nesting site along, the same morning as yesterday’s post. Another coot stuck on the nest brooding. It also had an appropriately-sized piece of paper already resting on the nest.

Shortly after the previous bird started moving its paper to form a cover, this one began the same routine. Perhaps the paper was more awkward to control, or maybe the bird was less confident in what it was doing. Perhaps it was less of an issue: the tree above the nest gave more cover. Whatever the reason, this coot seemed to end up with less complete cover, and to have taken more effort in the process.

Honesty in a front garden. Looking like it was taking over an increasing space by self-seeding. The honesty of the plant comes later in the year when the seeds develop. The seed-case is translucent, clear enough to show the seeds within.

A cold morning, starting to rain. A coot on the nest, brooding, unable to move to shelter without letting the eggs cool. Towards the edge of the nest, a large piece of paper, one side formed from what looked like foil.

It took a lot of manoeuvring, using the beak as its grip, and fighting against a breeze which was trying to snatch away the paper. But eventually the job was done. The bird could now snuggle down under its makeshift cover.

The front gardens of East Castle Street in Bridgnorth are worth watching at any time of year. This is a summer snowflake (Leucojum aestivum). It’s yet another introduced plant, but with an original range covering much of Eurasia it thrives in some parts of the country as a wildflower. Hence another of its names, the Loddon lily, from a tributary of the Thames.