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Message: <blockquote data-quote="oncebittern" data-source="post: 1455464" data-attributes="member: 68477">Slightly away from bird mis-ID, but still on an RSPB reserve, Leighton Moss.As dark was falling one evening last autumn, we were probably the only two people remaining on the reserve. We were walking back along the long causeway between two massive areas of reedbed, having been watching the otters play. There was a deep, growly, bellowing sort of noise close by, in the reeds. "Red Deer" I said confidently, as they are very common there, and do wander around the reed beds.A few yards on, we heard it again, this time louder, and apparently closer, as if it were following us, though there was no sound to suggest that the animal had actually moved through the reeds. It MUST be deer I re-stated, though I'm not sure my wife believed me, and she gripped my arm just a little tighter. We were now discussing how something as large as a Red Deer could possibly move so silently through reeds and water.We walked on, and about 50 yards further we heard it again, this time even louder, and apparently very close indeed, though there was still no sound of movement through the reeds. By this time, my wife was gripping my arm just a little too tightly, and we had quicked our pace somewhat. I put on a brave face, but inwardly was getting more than a little concerned.We continued, at an even quicker pace, just short of actually running, when it was there again! Right next to us in the reeds...only feet away...large...growling..yet drifting through the reeds without a sound. Well this was just about enough for both of us, and we quickly shot away down the path to a clear area, where we could see right into the reeds. Whatever it was, it would have to cross the open water now if it was to follow us further. Even in the darkness we would be able to see its shape and size, and we stood in silence...waiting.As we stood and waited for IT to appear, in the distance, a big volley of fireworks went off, just above the horizon, presumably at Morecambe. Several seconds later, the sound of the explosions made their muffled way across the water, and through the reeds to us - sounding just like a big, growly, scary thing, that had got the pair of us well and truly spooked!I sometimes wonder what stories we would have told if the fireworks had finished before we worked out what our 'creature' really was :eek!:</blockquote>

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