Spindle tree fruit, not quite ripe yet

Spindle tree fruit, not quite ripe yet

Spindle tree fruit, beginning to turn from green to red, but still not quite ripe yet. These were on a tree opposite Cupcake Lane, the former Tettenhall station on the Railway Walk.

Tufties (and aggresive swan), Stratford

Tufties (and aggresive swan), Stratford

There’s a small flock of tufted ducks on the Avon at Stratford all year round, with more arriving every winter.

Here’s the regulars recently. At the start of the set, they are being chased by an aggressive swan.

Snakeskin grisette, Wellcombe Hills

Snakeskin grisette, Wellcombe Hills

Snakeskin grisette growing in short grass under trees in the Wellcombe Hills, nature reserve on the edge of Stratford on Avon, managed by the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust.

Snakeskin grisette, Wellcombe Hills

Swan dance, Stratford on Avon, September

Swans on river Avon at Stratford, “dancing” earlier this month, in the way usually seen prior to mating in spring. Filmed at seven in the morning, when the riverside was far quieter than in a normal year.

Peregrines, Warwick castle

Peregrines, Warwick castle

Two peregrines on the crenellations of Warwick castle. One picture shows the cliff-like river facing wall they are on the top of.

A pair nested at the castle for the first time this spring, when all was quiet because of lockdown.

They’ve raised three chicks: two female, one male. Pictures show one adult, one young.