Tag: pleck

October 8th – I was right about the rain and the fungi. On Clayhanger common in the morning, pleated ink caps, sometimes known as the Japanese parasol. These delicate, paper like caps only last a day, and 24 hours later, there will be no trace. They appear straight after heavy rain, their spores lying dormant until triggered by nature.

The fly agaric are also going for it. In Pleck on the canal bank, a nice crop which will surely proliferate now. Such lovely fairy-tale toadstools.

September 24th – For the first time this week, a really decent day with lots of sunshine, but the cold is creeping in – it barely crept over 16 degrees all day. 

The birds on the local canals didn’t mind, though – the Walsall swan family were, as usual, hustling for treats, but the herons – a twtchy young gun in the morning and a more relaxed, slightly mad looking elder hand in the evening – were stubbornly self-sufficient, as ever.

I love to see these guys. They fair made my day.

September 4th – Apologies for the poor phone photos, I forgot the camera…

I’m still musing on the oaks, and their various blights and parasites. I asserted a few weeks ago that the oak seemed to suffer disproportionally with these afflictions, but I was forgetting the various leaf-miners, bugs and aphids that affect other species.

This sycamore in Pleck, Walsall for instance is suffering form various things, including leaf miners. I have no idea why, but only this tree out of several neighbours is affected.

I really ought to read up on this stuff.

September 2nd – Like most people, I’m holding out for an Indian summer, but as I made my way home on Wednesday, it seemed the chance was slim. Caught by two very localised, heavy downpours, I was soaked by the second after having escaped the first by stating it out in an archway in Pleck.

It’s gone cold, too. Summer, come back!

August 18th – I was on the lookout for kingfishers – I’d seen a couple flying down the canal this week, and one tantalisingly perched, who scarpered quickly when my camera beeped as it switched on. Today though, in Pleck, I was having no luck.

Then I spotted why.

A patch of white was twitching and moving in the long grass on the far side of the canal – and on closer inspection turned out to be a tabby and white puss with a remarkable tail engaged in stalking something.

I don’t know what was holding the cat in such rapt attention, but it didn’t even turn to look at me when called. 

My search for a good kingfisher photo opportunity continues…

August 10th – I know I shouldn’t, but I love anthropomorphising animals. Herons in particular remind me of eccentric old men, stood loafing, slightly absent mindedly fixing you with a gimlet eye.

This one was in Pleck, right at the back of the factories, stood on an overhanging bough, looking for breakfast. I love the expressiveness of his eyes.

Later, at James Bridge, the aggressive beggars – honking at me for food, hissing and swimming away in disgust when I presented them with no tasty morsel.

I honestly think to local wildlife is becoming more outspoken and opinionated.

July 27th – I awoke to a better day. It was warm again and the sun was shining sporadically. After the dismal unpleasantness of the previous day, this was refreshing and welcome, particularly as I’d expected a wet morning commute.

The dearth of traffic (due to the Industrial Fortnight) also made for a pleasant ride.

Passing the rowans in Pleck, I noticed their berries were plump and now bright orange. This pleased me.

Sometimes, like the berries, sun and warmth is all I need.