Oldt1mer - Keith's photos with the keyword: St Helens

These are some of the wild Terrapins (or possibly Turtles) which can often be seen sunning themselves on fallen branches in the water at Carr Mill Dam, St Helens, Merseyside. It is thought that they originally came to be there because somebody kept them as pets then set them free into the lake. They seem to be doing quite well as they have been there for a long time. Taken from the arches over the top end of the lake so a reasonable crop. Explored No 374, 15 May 2024. This Picture is fully © Copyrighted. None of my images may be copied, reproduced or altered in any form or manner or placed on the internet or any other social media, or in any form of publication either print or otherwise, in any form or manner without my written permission.

The lovely little Pied Wagtail - Motacilla alba - is also known as the Water Wagtail. It is a smallish bird with a long tail which, when not standing and wagging its tail frantically up and down, can be found dashing about car parks, pavements, lawns and by waterside looking for food, mainly insects but they will also eat seeds and other scraps in winter. The species is known as the White Wagtail but there are nine recognised subspecies of Wagtail. In the UK they are 'M. a .yarrellii' and have a much darker/blacker back than the nominal race and the black of the throat continues onto the side of the neck, these are known as the Pied or Water Wagtail. I was lucky enough to catch this one as it walked through a little patch of sunlight at Carr Mill Dam, St Helens. This Picture is fully © Copyrighted. None of my images may be copied, reproduced or altered in any form or manner or placed on the internet or any other social media, or in any form of publication either print or otherwise, in any form or manner without my written permission.