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David

Trees in trouble: Oak Bracket Fungus

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Another tree likely to be in trouble. This oak on Tettenhall Upper Green has two large bracket fungi sticking to the base of the trunk.

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David

Starting to flower: old man’s beard

Starting to flower: old man's beard

Also known as traveller’s joy, old man’s beard is one of the few plants to flower in late summer, when most are already ripening their fruits. The only native British clematis, it climbs along hedges, sometimes also along fences.

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David

Trees in trouble: honey fungus

Trees in trouble: honey fungus

A clump of honey fungus in front of a cherry tree on a quiet residential street in Tettenhall. It’s likely to be infecting the roots of the tree. If so, the infection will eventually be fatal, though possibly not for many years.

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David

Parakeet on a willow branch

Parakeet on a willow branch

At least six ring-necked parakeets were in West Park, high in the trees, calling persistently to one another. Occasionally, one would move to another vantage point, high in an alternative nearby tree, still hidden in the foliage. They may have been young ones, dispersing after a successful breeding season: there are nest sites on Tettenhall ridge / the Smestow valley.

This is the only one I managed to grab a distant shot of. It flew to the island, landing on one of the willows overhanging the lake. Seconds after I got this picture, it moved deeper into the leafy canopy.

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David

Reclusive moth, possibly Common White Wave

Reclusive moth, possibly Common White Wave Cabera pusaria

Moth which kept hiding itself on the underside of leaves. Possibly a Common White Wave moth, Cabera pusaria.

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David

Juvenile starlings, city centre

Juvenile starlings, city centre

Some of the Wolverhampton city centre starlings high on buildings overlooking Market Street. They were spending most of their time preening – probably juveniles, moulting to their first adult plumage before the autumn.