Hop Sedge

I discovered this Hop or Cyperus Sedge (Carex pseudocyperus) growing on the edge of a small pond in Woodburn, Stobswood. A quick respose from an e-mail to the county recorder indicated that this is only the second county record, the first from Gosforth park in 2009. A recent spreading plant or more likely introduced however, the increase in ponds in the local area due to restoration of former opencast sites mean these new areas of wetland are worth keeping an eye on to see what plants establish themselves here in the future.

Giant Polypore

Giant Polypore...Longhirst Hall

Golden Waxcap...Abbey Meadows

Brick Tuft...Abbey Meadows

Orange Mosscap...Abbey Meadows

Cromson Waxcap...Druridge dunes

I've noticed some fine specimens of Giant Polypore (Meripilus giganteus) growing at the foot of some Limes at the entrace to Longhirst Hall as I drive past so I stopped yesterday to take a few pics. Lots of fungi around at the moment as the weather is perfect. Golden Waxcap (Hygrocybe chloraphana) are out in good numbers near the house and in the dunes at Druridge. Also pictured in the dunes was Crimson Waxcap (Hygrocybe punicea). Nearer home there are a few clumps of Brick Tuft (Hypholoma lateritium) and the Orange Mosscap (Rickenella fibula) was growing on my lawn.

Confused.com

Confused Michaelmas Daisy, Stobswood

? Widdrington tip

Shaggy Parasol, Abbey Meadows, Morpeth

At the brickworks at Stobswood the other day and added Confused Michaelmas daisy to the local plant list. At the tip anyone with a more serious interest in dragonflies should drop in. I managed to identify five species including Black Darter as the recent rains have flooded the marshy area in the centre of the old tip. Photographed this tiny caterpillar on the base of a Hawkweed at the tip also.

Fungi and stuff

Blackening Waxcap

Drab Bonnet

Weeping Widow

Grey Coral

?

I haven't been far on my days off but the weather hasn't been good for looking for butterflies and plants. It has been good for fungi though with the above pics taken around the housing estate. On dry days the moth has spent the day on my kitchen window. This morning the Green Woodpecker was on the roadside at Westgate beside the High house woods.

At last!

Since the last post I have gone out with the camera everytime. I have heard no calls but I have had a few glimpses of Green Woodpeckers feeding on ants on the pavements around the estate.

This afternoon after a heavy shower I noticed this juvenile male near High house wood howking an ants nest on the roadside. It didn't fly away but I kept my distance just in case and managed a few distant shots.