Please help to identify

[MCH]

Hi all,
we were exploring the Peak district on Sunday and as we were checking a river bank we came across this animal in a tunnel - can anybody identify it?

Thanks,

[Dogghound]

Looks like a fledgling bird, possibly being cached by a predator. Any other photos? Hard to make out.

[MCH]

Thanks for the reply. No, no other photos. We noticed the animal breathing heavily - it was inside a crevice. We did not want to upset it (whatever it was) and it was quite dark in the area as the crevice was under a plant. So we only took 2-3 shots and left quickly. There was a coot family in the area with two very young birds, if that helps. Could it be one of the little coots hiding there?

[Dogghound]

Yes possibly, it looks like an aquatic species as you can make out its large black/grey legs on either side of its body.