Rail crossing

Was out early this morning to check on the tides. The wind forecasts were variable depending who you asked so I thought I'd better check it out. It is always a bit nerve racking this time of year when northerly winds are forecast with a high spring tide. When the coastal project is finished it should mean I get a few more good nights sleep during the winter.

What has all this got to do with rail crossings?

Well it was bitterly cold and apart from a mistle
thrush and the usual waterfowl, it was a quiet 
morning. Walking back along the path I found
some reedmace heads on the path that had
been chewed by something. The fact that it was
the head and the seeds and they were at least
4 metres from where the plants were growing
suggested it wasn't a bird.

Perhaps it was a chinese water deer?

Walking a bit further I came to the rail crossing. It wasn't obvious. There were no flashing lights
or barriers, I hadn't even stopped, but the rail just shot across the path in front of me. It must
have been as surprised as I was because it seemed to speed up as it crossed the path
desperate to make the cover of the vegetation on the far side of the path.

The first part of west bank path is bordered by shallow ditches on both sides and these are
well worth checking out for wildlife. This morning I had two moorhen, one water rail, song thrush
and preening greenfinch.

Who knows if your lucky you may encouter your own rail crossing.