We had 2 Otter Safaris at the weekend, both accompanied by rain, but both very successful.
On Saturday I collected Lesley and Rab from their accommodation at The Swan, and the rain started just as we were getting into the car! An afternoon spent dodging the showers, and enjoying some excellent birdwatching around Druridge Bay, eventually developed into a superb evening when the showers cleared and some of our more elusive wildlife appeared as dusk approached; Roe Deer, Barn Owl and a very obliging Otter all entertained us before I returned 2 happy clients back to The Swan in time for last orders.
Sunday looked like being a frustrating day; beautiful weather in the morning gave way to an increasing layer of gloomy cloud and by the time I collected Janice from home in Bedlington Station, and Ann and Mark & Maxine and Pippa from Church Point, the heavens had opened. With local clients re-arrangement can be an option when the weather is poor, but we were on a run of 8 successful Otter Safaris in our last 10 so I was sure that the weather wouldn’t affect our chances. Dodging the showers wasn’t really an option, as breaks in the downpour were few and far between. With a completely overcast sky, it was likely to get dark much earlier than in recent days, so I juggled the timings that have been so successful this year. Optimism increased as a raft of Mallards, Tufted Ducks and Gadwall all began to stare intently at the same reedbed…which an Otter came swimming out from! After 30 minutes of top-quality entertainment it vanished into a different reedbed before returning to the stage for a 15 minute encore performance 🙂
We’ve got a few places still available on an otter mini-safari next Tuesday, and we’ll be doing more over the next few months, so give us a call on 01670 827465 and book your place now before they’re all sold out.