Common helvella (Helvella crispa) – a.k.a. white saddle fungus or elves’ saddles. Woodland fungi, these growing under trees by the path round Perton pool. There were some in the same spot last winter.
Jackdaws on the lookout, Northycote
Pair of jackdaws on the lookout high in one of the trees at Northycote Farm.
Stretch down to eat
Young swan by the inlet at Perton pool, stretching its neck to reach the bottom to find osmething to eat.
Ice crystals rising, Northycote
Ice crystals rising from the top of a fallen log, on a frosty morning recently at Northycote Farm.
Collared earth stars in undergrowth, Perton
Collared earth stars, a distinctively-shaped fungus species. In this area the fruiting bodies seem to appear in the late autumn (perhaps just because the undergrowth hiding them dies back). Once they do show up, they usually stay around all winter unless someone kicks them over.
These were by the wooded section of the footpath between the two pools at Perton. Perhaps a dozen returning to the same area where they have been in previous years.
Small starling flock, Perton
Small flock of starlings which landed high in one of the trees by the larger pool at Perton. You might be able to spot a goldfinch sharing the tree with them in one of the pictures in the middle of the sequence – though you’ll probably need to see the picture full size on a largish screen to do so.