A bird in the hand ........

Our first day with no commitments for quite a while.  Clickychick had heard that people were getting good views of Otters at Leighton Moss.   A blipper had suggested the lower hide gave the best chances.   So off we set.

The walk via the Lillian Hide produced lots of species and good views.  CC had heard the birds would feed out of your hand so just outside the Lillian Hide she tried on a pair of Robins.   Sure enough they soon plucked up courage and one settled on her hand.

Continuing the walk of a mile or so we arrived at the Lower Hide.   Lots going on but no Otters.   A Water Rail was a fine consolation prize for no Otters.   Mid afternoon I saw a ripple.   What was causing it?   Soon a Dog Otters head appeared and it mane for the reeds about 50 - 60 yards away.  A bit far and against the light but cameras were clicking rapidly.  We got good views but not good photos.

We rounded the day off by watching the remains of the murmuration from the viewing tower near the visitors centre.   Not spectacular, a pity as one group had come from Leeds just to watch.

The species list (from memory):

Mute swan
Blackbird
Song Thrush
Teal
Mallard
Gadwall
Cormorant
Marsh Tit
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Tufted Duck
Nuthatch
Chaffinch
Coal Tit
Pheasant
Carrion Crow
Starling
Water Rail
Shoveler
Marsh Harrier
Greenfinch
Blackheaded Gull
Bittern
Snipe
Bullfinch
Robin
Dunnock
Golden Eye
Whooper Swan
Coot
Moorhen
Greylag