feeding ducks? That's what I thought!

aestarte · #1 (**permalink**) 22-01-2008, 12:22 PM

Hi everyone, had to tell you what happened this morning. Me and my partner went to our local canal, we thought to feed the ducks. They seemed to have other things on thier minds AHEM, so as we to no avail threw the bread in, my partner noticed a little brown thing nipping in and out of the reeds stealing the bread so we threw some closer to the bank and sure enough a cute little brave water rat came and helped him/herself and at one point was right by our feet. I know they are considered vermin but they made our day. yeah yeah little things and all that but you takes what you can get.Fi. X X X X

Billy Wobble Dagger · #2 (**permalink**) 22-01-2008, 12:36 PM

It's great when you see something unexpected. I have to ask though, how much, if any, of the body was above water level when he was swimming. If it was just his head then it was a rat. If the top of his body was visible then it would have been a Water Vole, a real treat. I know there are strong holds in Somerset. Which ever it was glad it made your day.

BWD

Adam Cheeseman · #3 (**permalink**) 22-01-2008, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aestarte

Hi everyone, had to tell you what happened this morning. Me and my partner went to our local canal, we thought to feed the ducks. They seemed to have other things on thier minds AHEM, so as we to no avail threw the bread in, my partner noticed a little brown thing nipping in and out of the reeds stealing the bread so we threw some closer to the bank and sure enough a cute little brave water rat came and helped him/herself and at one point was right by our feet. I know they are considered vermin but they made our day. yeah yeah little things and all that but you takes what you can get.Fi. X X X X

By water rat, do you mean Brown Rat or Water Vole?

Cheers,

Adam

aestarte · #4 (**permalink**) 22-01-2008, 01:31 PM

OOOOO, well added bonus then, because we saw it's whole body, either way it was a wonderful concellation prize.Fi. X X X X

aestarte · #5 (**permalink**) 22-01-2008, 01:36 PM

YUP just confirmed it by looking on the gallery it was a Water Vole, it's nose gave it away. Good good good. X X X X

Billy Wobble Dagger · #6 (**permalink**) 22-01-2008, 03:33 PM

Lucky you, a very special day. Not many people get to feed a Water Vole. I'm glad I asked. Which canal did you see him on? I might come and have a day out

aestarte · #7 (**permalink**) 24-01-2008, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy Wobble Dagger

Lucky you, a very special day. Not many people get to feed a Water Vole. I'm glad I asked. Which canal did you see him on? I might come and have a day out

I have to say me and my partner had a bit of a chuckle, but I suppose it's because we live here. The Water Vole that we were feeding was on Bridgwater canal and (dont laugh) we walked along the canal at the back of Morrisons (that's why we thought it was a rat) any hoo there is a platform type thing there that you can get right to the waterside. There is a proper path aside from a few puddles but you can walk all the way along it to Taunton and it is a lovely walk once you get out of the town.There is a part of the walk called the planet walk, that's great for kids because every so often you come across a model of a planet with information. If you are patient the wildlife is stunning and of course because it is Somerset the views wont let you down. I have to say it is one of my favourite walks. There are also villages along the way that have great pubs that do nice meals. Fi. X X X X

aestarte · #8 (**permalink**) 25-01-2008, 01:29 PM

Have been for a muddy walk along the canal today, saw nothing so we were just heading home when we were rewarded for our patience when we had a Fox running along side us on the opposite side

, so all was not lost, if you do visit I hope you enjoy the walk and see more than we did tee hee. Fi. X X X X