Stewchat...

Chip carton...

Another week passes with scarcely a salute to Blogger...but, at least, as the evenings retreat things can only get better.

Today was quite pleasant out with JWR to do the WeBs at Branton Pits. Mostly the ponds were frozen but a good few wildfowl were keeping the margins liquid - 110 Wigeon, 31 Tufted Duck, 39 Teal 16 Goldeneye, 29 Coot, 22 Mallard and a few Mutes Swans. Two Dippers were singing and displaying along the river, a different pair and site to the ones recorded last time here.

As it was a dull still day, photos were a non starter.

After lunch back home, as we headed to Alnwick in the car, our favourite appeared on the roadside again - Ermine! In the same spot as last time, on this occasion it stood up in the grass and leaves looking for all the world like a chip carton discarded into the dyke. Fortunately on seeing the car it jumped around the hedge base and hid from view. I hope it doesnt end up as stoat pizza....