Stobswood

Different aspect of Cheviot and Hedgehope with Longframlington moor in the foreground from Stobswood

There's a Ross's Goose in there somewhere

Velvet Shank...a winter favourite

Goosander at Oldgate

Walking partners

Taken in December, Winter Moth on my ceiling

Little blog activity lately partly due to time of year and not many photo opportunities. I have been out and about but still looking around the Stobswood and Widdrington area; as the countryside around Morpeth is pleasant there is much more biodiversity around the area I grew up in. Today was a good day. I spent a couple of hours walking around the former Stobswood opencast and there was a flock of about 800-1000 Pink footed Geese, I couldn't find any Bean or White-fronted among them but a Ross's Goose stood out in the flock. A Hen Harrier flew south high above the flock and continued flying over Ulgham village until out of sight; my second sighting this winter at this site. The highlight though was a single Snow Bunting along the track near East Stobswood farm. 

Back at Morpeth Velvet Shank fungi is quite common around the woods; the above pic was taken at Lancaster park. There are a few Goosanders on the river , most of them nearer Mitford but a nice drake has been gracing the Wansbeck at Oldgate and a Kingfisher has been fishing under the footbridge beside the Chantry since Boxing day when the river is not swollen.