The breeding season is also the peak fighting season. Four of the West Park coots by the shore. Two close by, watching while the other two go at it hammer and tongs. They weren’t just using beaks, but also their vicious-looking feet. Most likely the fighters were two males; the spectators their respective mates. After the brief flurry, one pair swam off, a combatant and a spectator. Despite the aggro, it didn’t look like any actual injuries had been inflicted.
Lichens growing on adjacent trees by the perimeter path in West Park. I was drawn to the textures in the contrasting patterns in the cracking of the tree bark as well as the contrasting colours and textures of the different species of lichen.
The posts for the warning signs on West Park lake are a favoured vantage point for some of the gulls. These were a juvenile lesser black backed and a black headed gull just coming into breeding plumage.
I don’t know what tricks that plant breeders have used, but many front gardens these days have clumps of heathers flowering in the coldest winter months, with flowers which are white or a range of shades of purple.
Walking round West Park lake to see if there was any sign of where the cormorant had landed (see yesterday’s post). There wasn’t. Instead, a parakeet which had been perched in a willow by the side of the water spotted me before I noticed it, and immediately flew off to where there was more cover.
You may need to look carefully to spot the bird as a small patch of brighter green contrasting with the tree leaves.
Furry catkins on a pussy willow directly by the edge of the water in West Park. See the post immediately above for what drew my attention to the willow.