Otter at Ribchester, presumably a female with a cub in tow. CLICK ON IMAGE FOR LIGHTBOX
A COUPLE OF OTTERS ON THE RIVER WAS REWARD FOR GETTING UP EARLY. An adult and a small cub, which got out of the water to have a look at me, too close for photos less than a metre away! I do not see many otters in Ribchester, they are quite mobile, usually secretive and active at dawn and dusk. Obviously they are unpopular with fishermen too but the coarse season does not have long left so the riverbank will be much more empty soon.
Birding was also quite good today with highlights: Mandarin (a pair on the river below Churchgates early on only); Woodcock and 15 Pinkfeet flying west. Curlews made double figures and they were singing a lot this morning. Lapwings reached 26, also with lots of display flight and song and a flock of Oystercatchers was at Hothersall again. The Fieldfare flock was still along the lane just past Lower Barn Farm, I counted 53 there and another six were upstream from the bridge. It was good to see some other interesting waterbirds along the river including Little Grebe (one upstream from the allotments), two Little Egrets (upstream from the bridge) and a scatter of four kingfishers, my first for several weeks and all from public footpaths! Birds of prey were also in evidence with buzzard, kestrel and sparrowhawk all putting in appearances. The Rib patch list is up to 77 for 2021 and 59 for March this year/74 all time, making it the second best month after February. It seems we get more winter visitors than summer visitors here.
You looking at me?
A more typical view in early morning pre-dawn light.
Ever stopped to appreciate what a terrific bird Blue Tit is? Could you colour one in correctly from memory?