Wolves Wild

Growing under a tree in a quiet corner of the centre of Shrewsbury, blewits: probably wood blewits.

A trio of cormorants resting high in a tree overlooking the swollen River Severn in Shrewsbury on Boxing Day. These was a dry spell in a brief pause between the winter storms. So the path along the river opposite the birds was busy with walkers, joggers and cyclists working up an appetite, but the birds were unconcerned.

Full moon just about to set early on Boxing Day morning. Seen through the branches of bare trees, across the flooded River Severn. Beyond the river, Frankwell Car Park was, as often, one of the first places submerged as water levels rose.

Once again not just an autumn species. Cup fungi like these could be at almost any time of year growing on rotting wood. These may be layered cups Peziza varie.

The series of winter storms over Christmas, continuing into the New Year, meant that like many other streams and rivers the Severn has had several bouts of flooding.

Here a pair of swans feed in water which is flowing over what is normally a stretch of the riverside footpath in the Quarry Park at Shrewsbury.

The day before I made this visit to Perton, someone had reported thirty-odd goosanders on the fishing pools at Pool Hall. So I decided to try somewhere more accessible nearby where they sometimes show up in winter.

When I got there, the lake was very quiet: a few gulls, some mallards and a handfull of Canadas, all in lower numbers than usual. I thought I was going to miss out on goosanders entirely.

Finally, when I’d walked all round the lake and was just about to go, one female flew in. She’s just about recognisable in these distant shots taken on a mobile.