Bank Vole

Despite the less than perfect weather forecast we headed to Parkgate this morning to watch the drama at high tide unfold. It was the best high tide we've ever seen, coming in right up to the sea wall and bringing with it lots of tiny mammals running for their lives and lots of mainly gulls and crows looking for an easy meal. We didn't witness many casualties and there weren't too many raptors around to watch sadly.
There was quite a strong wind towards the shore which was nasty when the showers came along, directly into your face. Thankfully, they didn't last for long and we didn't get too wet. When the heaviest one came, we retreated to the Boathouse pub for a coffee for half an hour which was just perfect. 
The tide came in quickly, scattering the flocks of waders, ducks and geese, along with a high number of egrets - at least 30 Little egrets and half a dozen Great Whites. Wonderful to see them in such numbers. 

But the birds weren't really the stars of the show - these were the tiny little mammals that were fleeing from the tide, hiding in corners, up against walls and hanging on to stalks, hoping to escape being spotted by a predator. There were lots of bank voles, a few field mice, a shrew or two and at least three moles that we saw. 
There are some more shots in extras if you have time to look - mole, field mouse and egrets.