Except that it involved over an hour's driving each way, and about four miles trudging between all the far-flung hides. But hey, I think we saw an Otter!
Well, I think it was an Otter, although if you really want to see a particular bit of wildlife there's a good chance you'll hallucinate and kid yourself it was the real thing (at least that's what they said to me in the visitor's centre).
But there I was, looking down an avenue through the reed-beds, and suddenly I saw a longish low double humped shape swim from one side to the other in the space of a few seconds and, although I can't say for sure that I saw its head clearly, in the opinion of the (somewhat doubtful) ladies on the desk it couldn't have been anything else - except, perhaps, a Mink, which is even rarer than the few Otters they have at Leighton Moss.
It's a shame that Otters aren't as willing to be spotted as this blighter that wouldn't leave us alone and frankly deserves all he gets from the rich guys with the big guns...
Other stuff we saw during the day included a Marsh Harrier (excellent), Great Crested Grebe (lovely), Pochard, Tufted Duck, Shoveller Duck, Shelduck, some kind of Geese, Mute Swans, Reed Buntings (two), Avocet (lots), Black Tailed Godwit (quite a few), and last but by no means least, Black Headed Gulls (millions). Oh, and a Red Deer, lurking in the reeds.
So actually, a very good days spotting. Lunch was nice too!
Oh, and I nearly forgot, Kate spotted a Broad Bellied Chaser just hatching(?) on a reed. At least we think that's what it was - maybe somebody can identify it better from the photo...
Ok, that's all for today. Tomorrow we're going to visit a 'castle' (i.e. a folly) down near Ambleside, and then do some 'technical' shopping (me flask's broken so I need a new one, pronto).
Byeee,
Mike.
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