Titmice uncaged, Northycote

Long tailed tit and bluetit, Northycote

Council budget cuts seem even to have hit the supply of provisions in the bird feeders at Northycote Farm. A single bluetit and long-tailed tit were still on the feeders, searching for any remaining scraps.

Cross-billed jackdaw, Northycote Farm, revisited

Cross-billed jackdaw, Northycote Farm, revisited

Cross-billed jackdaw at Northycote Farm. The twists in its beak must give it some difficulties in feeding. But I first noticed and pictured the bird back in March 2015, when it already looked full-grown and as healthy as it seemed in these recent shots. The pickings must be so good at Northycote that it is able to thrive despite its bill.

Indeed, it seemed to be spending most of its time in the company of another (more camera shy) jackdaw, so it may even have found a mate.

Cramp balls, Bantock Park

Cramp balls, Bantock Park

King Alfred’s cakes, coal fungus, cramp balls, or, to get formal, Daldinia concentrica. All different names for this distinctive fungus, which grows on dead or decaying wood.

These were just a selection from the crop on a felled trunk on the edge of the pitch and putt course at Bantock Park.

Cramp balls, Bantock Park