Island weeping willow

Island weeping willow

Weeping willow on one of the islands in the West Park lake, and, to its left, trees on the far shore, reflected in the gently wavy water.

Great tits and nuthatch on seed feeder

Great tits and nuthatch on bird feeder

More of the species regularly seen at the Northycote Farm’s bird feeders – a pair of great tits try to land on the same perch.

A nuthatch was calmly eating on the other perch.

What big feet

What big feet

One of the West Park coots which had come on shore in search of bread.

Its big feet are used for swimming and for walking on vegetation growing in shallow water.

Mistlethrush high in a tree

Mistlethrush high in a tree

As the autumn leaves come down, it is easier to see birds perching high in trees. One mistlethrush features here. What may have been its mate was at the same level on the opposite side of the tree.

Purple berries

Purple berries

Exotic and attractive purple berries brightening up the late autumn on a couple of bushes in West Park.

The bush is a purple beautyberry or early amethyst.

Upright coral fungus, Castlecroft

Upright coral fungus, Castlecroft

The upright coral fungus is one of many fungi which grow on dead wood, often on wood hidden underground.

This one was growing among the undergrowth beneath the hedge by the towpath heading into the countryside beyond Castlecroft.

Spider on a tree trunk

Sider on a tree trunk

Spider on the trunk of a tree at Northycote Farm.

This is probably a female, looking fat because she was swollen with eggs.

Eat up your crust

Eat up your crust

West Park squirrel nibbling at a piece of bread. It ate some of the crust and left the rest.