Wildlife from Wolverhampton and nearby
A few days around the Exe estuary at the tail end of storm Gareth. Weather less than welcoming, and many of the large numbers which overwinter had already started off for their summer homes. Others left as soon as the wind calmed down.
But some stuff was still around. This shelduck male, spending most of its time up-ended, feeding in the shallow water, was giving a clear view to those of us in the shelter of the RSPB hide on their reserve at Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham.
Fern growing on the canal bank, overhanging the water, near to Aldersley Junction.
Young cormorant which seemed for a while like it might be settling down on West Park boating lake island back in 2016. It hung around for several weeks in late winter and early spring, using this tall dead tree as its lookout post and taking regular flights for one of the fish in the lake. Then it was gone.
There’s a clump of tall, tall pampas grass in the Sensory Garden at Northycote Farm. The tips of the seed heads must be a good twelve feet off the ground.
Turnstone searching for food in the exposed seaweed, on St Ives beach towards low tide.
Seeds developing, beginning to ripen: snowdrops by the canal near Aldersley Junction recently.