Category: David

The old bridge at Atcham, built 1769-71, to carry traffic on Telford’s improved Holyhead Road over the Severn a couple of miles downstream from Shrewsbury. Now an ancient monument which carries a footpath while the road traffic thunders across the new (in 1929) bridge nearby.

All along the stonework of the bridge, there’s a fine crop of lichens. Also included in the set are a couple of shots of the bridge itself, and the view south from the bridge, over the river and towards the Uriconian hills in the distance.

Wren by the Severn in the Quarry Park, Shrewsbury, busy singing to establish its territory and perhaps to advertise its presence to potential mates.

It spent most of its time facing the river, meaning its back was to me. That might have helped me get a little closer without disturbing it.

More ground cover flowers from the slope leading down to the river bank at Atcham, and from the churchyard at the top of the slope.

When we were there at the middle of last month, a large patch of winter aconite were beginning to pass their peak. A few cyclamen flowers provided a colour contrast, while the first lesser celandine were beginning to open, with possible confusion with the aconites from a distance,

A swan on the Severn at Shrewsbury, trying so hard to threaten another swan that its neck was folded so far back into its raised wing that it looked like it was headless.

A little further along the loop which almost completely encloses the town, another swan had just taken off.

A mass of snowdrops, looking like they completely covered the ground, at Atcham near Shrewsbury. One patch, already impressive, on the slope leading down to the Severn from the village churchyard and the Mitton and Mermaid (which was having major restoration work when I took these pictures.

Across the busy main road, just behind the high stone arch over the start of the long drive in Attingham Park, an even bigger surprise. A small patch of woodland on either side of the drive, with the ground layer totally carpeted with the snowdrops.

Resident birds (those which stay in this country all year long) are putting on fresh feathers to impress potential partners for the breeding season. None less than the tufted ducks which have been overwintering on the lake at West Park.