Wolves Wild

Some of the early snowdrops in Bantock Park last month. Heavy rain overnight has splashed the flowers with mud.

Bantock House can be seen peeping over the bushes in the background.

The swansfavourite stretch of the river at Stratford on Avon is between the tramway bridge and the chain ferry. That is where there are the richest pickings of offerings from tourists.

On my occasional visits to the town, there always seems to be one pair of swans on this stretch which distinguish themselves by swimming up and down this short length with their wings curled high. It looks like they are using their wings as sails. Actually, I think, it’s a threat posture – it makes the bodies look larger.

It seems always to be the same pair, a pen and a cob. Sometimes they swim apart from the other birds, separately or together; sometimes with the big group of swans which forms. Occasionally they even seem to be with groups of the geese.

View towards the aqueduct which carries the Smestow Brook across the Staffs & Worcs Canal.

This is where the brook emerges into the open air. Previously it runs mainly through underground culverts, with a short open stretch in Fowlers Park. Most recently, its course was under Wolverhampton Racecourse, which is behind the hedge on the far bank of the canal.

View looking downriver and in the direction of the setting sun from the riverbank at Stratford on Avon.

Sheep, one in a field of pregnant ewes, nibbling at the nearby grass while lying down.

Recently-excavated entrance to a badger sett, under the hedge by the canal at Newbridge. Traces of the badger(s) using the entrance show up best on the left of the soft earth.

One of the footprints. Not dissimilar to those of a large dog, but the toes are more likely to leave an impression, and the sole leaves a kidney-shaped mark clearly wider than it is long.