Wildlife from Wolverhampton and nearby
Tufted ducks on West Park lake. Fifteen to twenty now gathered for the winter. These are all males, seen on a day when the tufts at the back of their heads were standing out clearly. Thanks to the bright sun, the green iridescence was showing well on their black feathers.
Three different types of lichen thriving, growing on the paintwork of a car park removable barrier.
Ancient yews, in the churchyard of St Michael’s, Tettenhall. Quite likely the oldest yews (and so the oldest trees) in the district.
The present church is recent, because the old one burned down in 1950 (the tower survived) The date of the original foundation has been lost in the mists of time – may go back a thousand years or more.
Tiny fungi – I haven’t a clue what kind. They were growing in moss on the tops of walls of big houses along the Tettenhall Road.
Moss bell, tiny mushrooms growing (where else) in some moss. The moss itself growing on the top of wall
Catkins on a silk tassel bush (Garrya elliptica) elongating through December. Early in the new year they will start producing pollen.