The very hungry otter who stunned passers-by in the middle of Stratford
The home of Shakespeare is usually packed with tourists. This week, they were treated to an amazing sight.

When you think of wildlife films, you tend to think of those film makers who camp out for six months just to get the killed shot of a wolf cub being born, or a pride of lionesses chasing down a wounded zebra. You don't expect nature to pop up in broad daylight in the heart of one of Britain's most popular tourist destinations. Yet that's exactly what happened in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon this week, as captured on film by Charlotte Yarnold:
Video: Courtesy of Charlotte Yarnold
If you feel bad for the fish, please don't: according to the head of the Leamington Anglers' Club (and we should just add that this info came via a friend of a friend) the fish is a zander — and a very large one at that.
They are ferocious predators (you could have guessed that bit) and in the past have been removed and killed for the good of the other wildlife on The Avon. So the otter isn't just having breakfast, he or she is doing a spot of conservation work at the same time.
Badgers, weasels, otters, stoats and more: A guide to Britain's mustelids
Lithe, opportunistic and with a predilection for poultry, these elusive, often pocket-sized predators have long raised a stink for farmers
In Focus: Tarka the Otter, Henry Williamson's great masterpiece of Nature writing
Jack Watkins tells the tale of what might have been a simple tale of nature, but which became a phenomenon
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Toby Keel is Country Life's Digital Director, and has been running the website and social media channels since 2016. A former sports journalist, he writes about property, cars, lifestyle, travel, nature.
-
A remarkable $100 million numismatic collection reappears after being buried for more than 50 years
A collector hid his treasure from the Nazis, his widow kept it secret for decades, but now Roman aurei, Greek staters and British pounds so rare that some have never been sold at public auction have resurfaced and will go under the hammer.
By Carla Passino Published
-
The Hollywood legend with an even more famous daughter: Country Life Quiz of the Day
From buns to bubbly in Wednesday's Quiz of the Day.
By Toby Keel Published