There has been loads of excitement locally regarding Otters that have been showing very well on the River Thet in the centre of Thetford. The location is very close to the favoured haunt of the Black-bellied Dipper that is over-wintering there. On Tuesday, with fine sunny weather, a trip was beckoning.

Arriving at the car park, there was only one space available at 9.30 am with other cars behind us - strange!!! Well the Dipper had moved upstream so we did not catch up with it this time but not too bothered as we had had a good session with it previously so we went after the Otters.

Much to our surprise, there were photographers everywhere and it didn'y take long to catch up with three Otters, A dog Otter and a couple of eighteen month old cubs. With all the activity on the bank, though, they did not leave the water so only head shots and swimming shots were possible and usually under a dark bank.

Finally, probably my best shot of the day.

Then off to Lynford Arboretum as Siskins and Redpolls had been showing there. The friend I was with said that if food was put on the top of a brick pillar, the birds would come so we stood there patiently and soon Nuthatches were coming in.

And a Dunnock made in appearance - quite pleasing as, surprisingly, I have overlooked this bird and have few decent images of it.

Coal Tits and Marsh Tits were regular but I had already a bank of images of the latter to sort out so only took the odd one.

Siskins and one Redpoll only showed briefly so a disappointment - better luck next time.

More images in the Recent Additions section of this website.