Wildlife from Wolverhampton and nearby
Cramp balls are a common fungus which grow on dead or dying wood. One of several fungus species supported by a large stump, uprooted in gales several winters ago and left to rot by the edge of the Bantock Park Pitch and Putt course. The last picture in the set also features a horses hoof fungus.
A heron standing sentry on West Park’s boating lake island. Most herons will now be gathered at their heronry for the breeding season, but this one is still not mature.
Close by, a couple of shoveller drakes were resting on the water, before another (also a drake) swam by.
Red flowers already coming out in mid-February on one of the rhododendron bushes in West Park. Very early but a welcome splash of colour.
Male dunnock singing on the wall of a garden opposite St Mary Magdalene’s Church, Bridgnorth. There was also another male giving voice nearby, audible but not visible.
Prunus (cherry or related fruit tree) flowering in late February in Castle Grounds Park, Bridgnorth before there were any signs of this years leaves beginning to show.
Yet another of the West Park magpies prowling round, disturbing the soil under wood chip mulch and short grass, doubtless hunting for invertebates to eat.