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David

Mistle thrush gathering worms, West Park

Mistle thrush gathering worms, West Park

Mistle thrush gathering worms on one of the grassy areas of West Park. There’s been a pair (perhaps the same pair) with a territory near the bandstand for some years. This one will have been gathering a snack for nest-bound chicks.

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David

Common sedge flowering, Compton

Common sedge flowering, Compton

Flowering on the bank of a canal near you (probably). This common sedge was between Compton and the Meccano Bridge.

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David

Raiding the larder (squirrel, Perton)

Raiding the larder

A squirrel on the grassy area by the upper pool at Perton, busy eating. Every so often it would finish off whatever it had in its front paws, dig at the ground, and grab another handful.

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David

Bluebell time

Bluebell time

It’s not too late to rush out now. These pictures were taken about a month ago, when bluebells were just about opening. But they’re still worth seeing if you head for your nearest wood.

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David

Time for a cover-up: another coot making shelter

Time for a cover-up: another coot making shelter

The next coot nesting site along, the same morning as yesterday’s post. Another coot stuck on the nest brooding. It also had an appropriately-sized piece of paper already resting on the nest.

Shortly after the previous bird started moving its paper to form a cover, this one began the same routine. Perhaps the paper was more awkward to control, or maybe the bird was less confident in what it was doing. Perhaps it was less of an issue: the tree above the nest gave more cover. Whatever the reason, this coot seemed to end up with less complete cover, and to have taken more effort in the process.

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David

Honesty (but not yet)

Honesty (but not yet)

Honesty in a front garden. Looking like it was taking over an increasing space by self-seeding. The honesty of the plant comes later in the year when the seeds develop. The seed-case is translucent, clear enough to show the seeds within.