We had a fantastic final Deer Watch this evening. Eight stags with magnificent antlers were out at the Griesdale hide, including two locking antlers practising for the rut later in the autumn, along with a hind and a calf that had almost lost its spots. At the Tim Jackson hide, we had almost given up hope of seeing any deer as the light was fading rapidly but a hind and very small calf emerged out of the reeds and disappeared almost as quickly. Several small groups of little egrets were also seen heading towards the roosting tree and we counted 12 cormorants roosting in a willow tree just in front of the Griesdale hide. With it getting darker slightly earlier we were able to pick up quite a few bats on the detectors too.
Now for the rest of the day's sightings.
At the Lower hide an osprey was fishing again and at least one otter was seen between 10.15 and 10.45. A wood warbler was also heard on the path down to the hide.
There was another sighting of an otter this morning at the Public hide too.
At the Griesdale hide five stags were seen at 2.30 pm, two herons were stalking along the edge of the reeds, and a water rail was seen.