White wagtail running along by the edge of the river at Stratford on Avon, catching insects. Then it decided to fly across to the other bank.
Red-berried snowberry
Red berries on a snowberry: on a few of the berries the reddish colour is patchier, giving way to the more usual white.
Angry birds: swan, Avon
Swan in full threat posture powering upstream on the Avon at Stratford. It was going so fast that every time it paddled one of its legs, the thrust raised its body out of the water. This one was the hindmost of three birds, strung out in a long line, all swimming in the same way for over a hundred yards. I couldn’t see what, if anything, they were responding to.
Mouldy coal (fungus)
Black lumps growing from tree trunks, another of the commonly spotted fungi at this time of year. It’s got various names, including coal fungus, cramp balls and King Alfred’s cakes. These were further supporting what looked like a mould on their lower surface.
Artist’s palette fungus, Avon island
Artist’s palette, one of the commoner fungus to be found in the winter months, growing on the trunks of deciduous trees. Theswe were by the River Avon at Stratford, on willows on an island at the town lock.
Can’t see you: three herons, West Park
Playing can’t see you: three herons on the island on West Park lake. When two or more of these birds are standing nearby other, they often seem to arrange themselves as if they are studiously ignoring each other.