Otter Surprise.....

With the prospect of a walk with Trace,Kirst,Kev and the dogs down to High Eske NR at Tickton,albeit in light rain,it certainly paid dividends with us all seeing a cracking Dog Otter crossing Weel road on the way to Tickton.What a beauty! and my first animal to be seen well out of the water and at close range too.He was watched crossing the road before disappearing into a nearby land drain adjacent to the river,a total surprise,hopefully now he will keep away from the local roads.Everything else was a bit of an anti-climax,but sightings at High Eske included at least 5 Willow Warbler,2 Chiffchaff,1 male Blackcap,17 Sand Martin and 12 Swallows.The Hirundines were all watched feeding low over the water due to the continuous rain and was my largest flock up to now this year.What a great end to my days off,with another superb Otter sighting!.