Otterhead Lakes

I was out with our local walking group on the first stage of a walk from the source of the River Otter to its mouth.  It was a popular walk and we were worried that we might not all get onto the local bus to take out to our starting point but there was just room.  I don't think the bus driver had had so many passengers for quite some time.  It was a warm cloudy start to the day as we arrived at Churchinford with the sun gradually appearing.  Our first glimpse of the stream was in a field where a group of cows looked back at us as we crossed over it and walked away from them.  The actual source is located further back in the farmers field and we did not have access to this.  We then followed the stream across fields and paths to the Otterhead Estate which was developed in the 1890's.  Today part of the land is leased from Wessex Water and managed as a local nature reserve.  Remains of the Victorian landscape and infrastructure were visible but well overgrown with plants.  Two lakes were still present on the land with the River Otter flowing through them.  See main blip for a view from one of the lakes.

Lunch was taken in a pleasant spot by the side of the much increased rivers edge.  It was here that I became aware of the bright blue Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo) that was perched on a fellow walkers boots.  He had been having lunch watching as a male and female were copulating nearby and then the female laid her eggs in the river bed while the male was perched on his foot, see extra.

Fortunately we had completed three quarters of our route by then as it was becoming quite warm and sunny. We then walked mainly alongside the river back into Upottery where we indulged in welcome cool drinks.  An interesting walk of almost 9 miles.