After three days laid low by an oppressive bout of man flu I ventured, for the first time, into the frozen hinterland, (to replace the hydraulic arm in one of the VC scope stands were you wondering) only to be graced by a great white egret within my first few hundred steps. It emerged from the reeds just south of the concrete bridge, just a few feet away and was duly recorded by Luke our resident lens-man.

Not wishing to sound too boastful but within 5 minutes of starting my second walk, (this time to lock the hide) Will, Luke and I saw an otter on the river 10 feet or so away. My first otter of the year and Will's very first. Further proof - were further proof required - that the prosaic and the phenominal are seldom far apart - not at Radipole anyway!