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David

Badger footprints

Badger footprints

Tracks left by a badger in the most recent fall of snow.

Badger footprints

Badger footprints

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David

Kingfisher

Kingfisher

In the hard weather a kingfisher stands out perching on a tree by the side of a canal.

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David

Cow parsley

Cow parsley

The last remaining seed case clings to one of last year’s stems on this plant.

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David

Witch’s butter

Witch's butter

Yet another fungus growing directly from dead wood, and apparently unaffected by the cold weather.

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David

Velvet shank

Velvet shank

Another fungus which is not worried by the cold – this velvet shank was growing from the trunk of a long-dead chestnut in the car park of the former Eye Hospital.

Velvet shank

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David

Ash buds

Ash buds

The scars of the old leaves can also be seen – the white horseshoe shapes.

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Razor strop fungus

Razor strop fungus

Once the frosts start, most of the larger fungi disappear. The main exception are brackets which grow directly from the trunks of trees – here a fallen birch.

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Snowdrop

Snowdrop

The days are visibly getting longer, and now the snowdrops are beginning to bloom.

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Pochard

Pochard

Yet another duck species to take advantage of the sheltered environment of West Park.

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David

Fat squirrel

Fat Squirrel

Some of the squirrels in West Park seem to be getting too well fed.

Picture taken before the big freeze. Perhaps the rolls of fat helped this individual survive the extreme conditions?