On Sunday managed to visit the Moss with Paul Burke and met one of his friends there, who I also know of flickr.   We arrived at Sunrise but the day was a bit cloudy so no spectacular Autumnal Golden Dawns.  It was Paul's first visit and he commented that there were lots of small birds around.  We headed first for the Sky Tower and saw that the water was frozen.  A small flock of Little Egrets  Within an hour we saw many of the commoner Tits, Finches and the 5 usual species of Thrush also Goldcrest, Treeceeper, Nuthatch and Wren.  

We trundled off to the Causeway Hide and just over the visitor centre we saw a Peregrine and on the boardwalk we saw a Water Rail giving exceptional views.  The views were so good I decided to take my time and try take a decent photo but by the time I clicked it had moved into cover.  From the Causeway Hide we watched two Marsh Harriers as they circled above  an area and stooped at the water.  We thought the behaviour was odd but it was not until someone point out that there were two Otters there did we realise why they were behaving this way.  They swam and then came out onto the ice.  What a fantastic sight it was, 

We moved onto the next hide known as the Lower Hide and once again the woodland path was alive with birds.  We watched patiently from the Hide and then suddenly when two Mallards rocketed up into the air we saw the two Otters again.  They showed very well.  On the way back we caught site of some Marsh Tits - with all the big glamorous species present at the Moss it could be easy to forget that this small species was also restricted in where one could see it.  Not to forget a very brief view of Bearded Tits which were not showing very well.  We met Paul's friend and headed straight to the café.  I was spoilt for choice - there were 5 species of cake but a lifer at the Moss would have been the new Mint Chocolate Cake.  Paul went for the Lemon Drizzle.  The cakes at Leighton Moss always tasted good but I thought I had died and gone to heaven with that one. 

Back to the Sky Tower and the views of the reserve were good.  We could see Marsh Harriers float over the reeds, twisting and turning.  Then a Great White Egret appeared and flew over to what would be our next stop the Jackson and Grizedale hides.  I suggested we go but Paul said 5 more minutes.  Out of nowhere the Great White Egret appeared and flew past the Sky Tower.   The Jackson and Grizedale hides were frozen and the ducks were distant although a small flock of Teal decided to land in front feeling sorry for us and keeping us entertained.  I caught movement of something trotting on the ground - cats? dogs? - they looked a bit clumsy, dark and long - 2 more Otters!  We had seen 4 today.  Paul had not seen one for 25 years and today he saw 4.  What do Otters and buses have in common? 

We made our way back to the Causeway Hide where a Water Rail not only showed well near the boardwalk but the in front of the hide too.  We waited but then I suggested we try another place. Paul replied give it 5 more minutes.  We saw 2 "Marsh Harriers" but the one at the back looked more beige, golden, lighter and front heavy.  It was a Bittern which flew across the reedbed.  Paul's 5 more minutes were paying off.   One last stop at the Jackson hide and we saw Starling Murmuration in the distance.  What an end to a brilliant day!