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David

Some great crested grebes

Great created grebe

This bird, probably a well-grown chick, was one of a family of great created grebes on a large pool by the Marsh lane LNR in Hampton in Arden, Solihull.

Great crested grebes

This pair were on Swan Pool, Sandwell Valley, a week or so later.

Great crested grebe with a fish

One of the same pair, which has just caught a fish.

Great crested grebe chicks

The pair’s three young chicks. They are much younger than the bird in the first picture – perhaps a second brood.

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David

Burdock flowering

Burdock flowering

The plant which inspired George de Mestral to invent Velcro.

Burdock flowering

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David

Web on a gorse bush

Web on a gorse bush

This impressive spider’s web was stretched across a gorse bush in Sutton Park. I couldn’t see any sign of the spider itself.

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David

Harlequin ladybird larva

Harlequin ladybird larva

Young of a harlequin ladybird. This invasive species is growing rapidly in numbers and is a threat to native species.

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David

Lizards near Ludlow

Common lizards

From rather further afield than normal. These lizards were sunning themselves in early August on posts by several of the disused small quarries along the minor road between Ludlow and Burrington.

Common lizards

The broader lizards are the females; the darker small ones are young, born perhaps a month previously.

Common lizards

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David

Birds around Ludlow

Jackdaw

These birds were seen during a couple of days’ stay in Ludlow earlier this month. It’s a little bit further afield than most postings, but it would just about have been possible to see them on a day trip. The jackdaw, above, was one of the flock in the centre of town, around the church. – This one was on the corner of the roof of Hosyer’s Alms-houses by the church – evidently a regular perch.

Swan

A swan feeding by Casemill Weir on the river Tame gave an unusual angle of view.

Swallow

This swallow on a phone line appeared to be thinking: perhaps about the approaching flight south.

Heron on a weir

And this young heron was fishing from Mill Street Weir.