Abbey Meadows

Abbey Meadows

Saturday 18 April 2009

Marsh harrier over Morpeth

My daughter was dancing as part of the annual Morpeth gathering and at 1230 while waiting for her to start her dancing a Harrier flew over Carlisle park. My binoculars were in my rucksack and soon I was able to identify it as a Marsh harrier though the photograph I managed to take doesn't do it justice. It circled and flapped a few times before heading off north. Only other birds of note today were 5 House martins feeding above the garden at 9 o'clock this morning. This is also the time of year that the unusual plant Toothwort comes into flower. The best spot is along the riverbank beside the Oldgate bridge at Matheson gardens where about 60 plants are out at the moment. The other good place is beside the castle. The procession
Amber full of concentration

The cropped silhouette shot of the Harrier (flying right to left)



One of about 60 Toothwort plants



This area was badly affected by the floods but has had no effect on the plants



1 comment:

Alan Tilmouth said...

Interesting record Nigel, Probably the same bird reported from High Buston today.