David

Icy margin of one of the pools formed by a widening of the brook through the nature reserve by the i54 industrial estate.

Magpie in some guttering at the edge of a roof, poised ready for take-off.

Winter flowers opening in January – clumps of snowdrops from Bantock Park, and one clump from a small island in the Wom Brook at Wombourne.

Muscovy ducks at Mary Stevens Park, Stourbridge. I counted seventeen birds, moving round and spread out, so I might not have included the complete set.

Winter flowers beginning to open in late January. These purple crocus were in the Wob Brook Nature Reserve, Wombourne.

Further shots of the young cormorant which paid a visit to West Park. After its brief swim in the boating lake, it came ashore on the island under the shelter of trees. it used its tail for extra support when stepping ashore, turned to face the water, spread its wings to dry them, then carried on watching for fish. I took my eyes off it briefly: when I looked back it was gone.