Took first visit of year to Fowlmere, a couple of hours before dusk, to start the attempt on last year’s slightly disappointing 95. Somewhat surprisingly the first bird was a Mistle Thrush. Later highlights were Buzzard and then Tawny Owl.
However, by far the best sighting was of an Otter, watched for several minutes in the stream on the west of the reserve. It eventually saw me and after standing motionless darted off into the reed-bed.
Other birds for the day: Mallard, Teal, Pheasant, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Moorhen, Water Rail, Wood Pigeon, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker (heard), Wren, Dunnock (heard), Robin, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Great Tit (heard), Long-tailed Tit, Jay, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Crow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Bulfinch, Reed Bunting.
