Otter?

 

You know, I'm by no means certain, but I think these could be otter tracks left in a muddy bank on Highland Water. I want it to be otter tracks, because that'd be cool.  Eurasian otters have established themselves an active community along the coastal region of the New Forest, and have been known to follow streams inland in the pursuit of food. So. Maybe? Of course the tracks could be those of a badger, both otters and badgers have 5 toes leaving prints roughly the same size, though normally the claws of a badger are more pronounced. You see myriad tracks this time of year, these caught my eye as different, though I am no expert.

Fishlake, Romsey

I found myself in Romsey this morning with an hour and half to waste. Luckily the weather obliged with a clear sky, and even a bit of late winter sun; so I took the opportunity to explore Fishlake Meadows nature reserve. A substantial parcel of land tucked between the River Test and the Old Romsey Canal, it apparently until about 20 years ago or so was a farmed meadowland criss crossed with drains; since then though the land has been allowed to flood, and after countless generations of farming, it's been returned to it's original state as a wetland floodplain. And wow, after just 20 years the roll call of nature impressive; a habitat for dozens of native and migratory birds including the Osprey, a home to wetland mammals like the Water Vole and even Otter, 2 dozen Damsel and Dragonflies, and who knows how many plant species. It's interesting to imagine the nature of our countryside prior to human intervention, wetlands in river valleys would've been far more commonplace and expansive; in prehistory these environments were very popular, providing a huge and varied array of resources. A lovely wander, and 90 minutes well spent.