Wildlife from Wolverhampton and nearby
A flowering white violet …
… a purple one …
… and a lesser celandine.
Leaves of violets (above) and violets together with cranesbill and lesser celandines (below) showing no signs of flowering.
The flowers were pictured in south Devon over a month ago. The leaves are of plants growing at a favoured spot by the canal near Castlecroft in the last few days. The southern plants are five or perhaps even six weeks more advanced than their midlands counterparts.
The violets are a different species.
Not a local picture. This spiral shell was on the beach of a small bay where the Exe estuary meets the sea.
The flowers on yew trees are small and inconspicuous.
These were growing on yews in the churchyard at Berkswell. Yews are often found churchyards.
Turkeytail is a common bracket fungus, often found growing on dead wood and tree stumps. This was on one of the stumps in the wood at Northycote.
Some of the bright yellow pollen from this crocus had fallen onto the floor of the flower.
Watercress growing in a small stream at Berkwsell.
The stream’s source is the well which gives the village its name.
Snowdrops reflected in the canal near Castlecroft.
There are no other snowdrops nearby – I presume these must have been planted or escaped from the garden of one of the houses there.
An impressive old oak, seen from a quiet lane connecting Berkswell railway station to the village.
The Gorge is a steep-sided “valley” left by one-time limestone quarrying. It’s right on the Sedgley border.
The lime-rich soil means the site supports some rare and interesting plants. It is Wolverhampton City Council property, but partly because of the fragile ecology, access is limited.
Thanks to Chris for the guided tour.
The well which gives the village of Berkswell in Solihull its name.
Right by the church, it’s likely to have been a holy well.