Otter feeding in Fall Bay

I guess I am not alone in thinking that Otters are usually associated with rivers, streams and estuaries, rather than rocky coasts. Although I am aware of previous Otter sightings in the Rhossili area, I have never seen one here, despite over a quarter of a century of walking the cliffs in the Mewsalde-Fall section of the coast. Until today, that is. A whiskery head popped up in Fall Bay this morning and at first my assumption was that it was a seal (which would have been a a good sighting, anyway). But as it dived it was clear that it was very slender, with a long tail: this was a big Otter, not a seal.

I watched it diving for fish for a few minutes and then it surfaced with a pretty big fish (250-300mm long, I guess).

It then swam towards the mouth of the bay and disappeared under water for a short time.Soon afterwards it appeared on the rocks under Tears Point, at the outer edge of Fall Bay, and spent about eight minutes eating the fish before sliding back into the sea.

I feel I was very lucky to see this happening and to be able to photograph it.

Otter feeding in Fall Bay

I guess I am not alone in thinking that Otters are pimarily associated with rivers, streams and estuaries, rather than rocky coastline. Although I am aware of reports of Otter sightings in the past in the Rhossili area, I have never seen one here, despite over a quarter of a century of walking the cliffs in the Mewslade-Fall part of the coast. Until today, that is. A whiskery head popped up in Fall Bay this morning and my assumption was that it was a seal (which would have been a good sighting, anyway). But as it dived there was a long, slender tail: this was a big Otter, not a seal.

I watched the Otter fishing for several minutes and then it surfaced with a pretty big fish (maybe 25-30cm in length).

It then swam towards the outer edge of the bay and, after disappearing from view for a minute or so, appeared on the rocks under Tears Point. It spent about eight minutes eating its catch before sliding back into the waves.

I feel I was very lucky to have seen this and to have been able to photograph it as it happened.

more spring

Yesterday at Horton I saw my first bee of the season, amazing and pointless. No evidence but I am quite , orange haired legs and white stripes on a black abdomen, sure it was an Andrena ovatula. Can't post an archive picture for some reason, sorry!

gower (ish) bees

the gower bee pictures I have taken over the last 3 years are now more or less posted on flickr here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/iantew/sets/

the same riders apply as before, there may be mistakes as I'm a relative beginner. I would be very grateful if you would let me know of any mistakes you find.

Sorry I can't post any to brighten up the winter but something I don't understand is going on.

Spring!

A couple of years ago I put a nest box in my garden and finally, yesterday morning, it attracted some interest! I watched a pair of bluetits going in and out for several minutes so presumably checking out as a nest site, though it certainly seems very early.