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David

Young coots, Birmingham canal

Young coot, Birmingham canal

There are two young coots here, swimming and eating a few yards from each other.

Young coot, Birmingham canal

They are the same birds feature in the post of August 19th
when they must have been very recently hatched.

Young coot, Birmingham canal

Young coot, Birmingham canal

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David

Family of swans, Birmingham canal

Family of swans, Birmingham canal

This family of swans include a second adult which wouldn’t line up to get in the same shot of the others, as well as the three well-grown young seen below. They have a large territory heading out towards the junction with the Bradley arm of the canal.

Family of swans, Birmingham canal

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David

Duck and ducklings, Birmingham canal

Duck and ducklings, Birmingham canal

Todays post feature water birds seen on a stroll along the towpath of the Birmingham canal, heading from the city centre in the direction of Birmingham, a couple of weeks ago.

Duck and ducklings, Birmingham canal

This duck and her two ducklings were in a gap in the wall above the canal a few yards from Bilston Road.

Duck and ducklings, Birmingham canal

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David

Heather in flower on Cannock Chase

Heather in flower on Cannock Chase

From the middle of August, heathy areas like this part of Cannock Chase near Brocton,  become a mass of purple as the heather comes into flower.

Heather in flower on Cannock Chase

Heather in flower on Cannock Chase

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David

Plums ripening

Plums ripening

By early August these plums were ripe enough to show the beginnings of the bloom on their surface.

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David

Bagot goats at Shugborough

Bagot goat, Shugborough Park

One of the historic breeds farm animals at Shugborough Park. If these are indeed Bagot goats, they are descended from the semi-wild herd of Blithfield Hall, on the opposite side of Cannock Chase, and be of a critically endangered rare breed.

The billy is relaxing above, and the kid, below, is eating with a jackdaw seeming to mimic its actions.

Goat kid with jackdaw, Shugborough Park