David

A short winter visit to West Park four years ago – these pictures taken on new year’s Eve 2017 – an Egyptian goose which was concentrating on preening.

More pictures from pre-pandemic Decembers, which I never got round to posting at the time. Saw these collared earth star fungi on a Boxing Day walk in 2013, were growing under the hedge by the footpath along the canal at Castlecroft.

December 2010, the day before Christmas Eve. A snowy towpath by the canal at Compton. A heron, huddled against the cold, hoping for fish.

December 1st, 2009, a bright and frosty morning. Waxcap mushrooms in the short grass of the Upper Green at Tettenhall, decorated with crystals of ice.

This winter, swans are gathering on West Park lake in record numbers. Most years, the population reaches somewhere in the mid teens. Currently there are at least twenty two. These were seen on a cloudless morning when the reflections of the sky turned the lake bright blue, and added a similar tint to some of the swans’ feathers.

Redlead roundhead mushrooms, already slightly nibbled even though only recently emerged, growing on wood chip mulch. Originally an Australian species, now quite common in the west midlands. Often found growing on wood chip or sawdust. It’s thought they were accidentally imported on timber products.