Cormorant versus Eel by Ron Trill

After a wet and windy September, Sunday, October 8th was a throwback to Summer, and it was great to be out and cycling through the quiet Dorset lanes. However, when we returned through Longhan we were in the thick of the traffic again. Somewhere in front, there was a hold-up, and the stream of cars became slower and slower until at Longhan Bridge over the River Stour, it was stationary, so we walked across the footbridge. Not only was this easier and safer, but there was a good view of the river and its bird life. At first there was just one cygnet by the far bank, no sign of the usual swans and their cygnets. Then a cormorant surfaced, took a breath, and dived again. He did this a time or two, before coming up with what looked like an eel. At least it was long, writhing and squirming, and firmly held by the middle. The cormorant immediately dived again, having apparently come up just for air, but a couple of seagulls had spotted it in the short time it was above water and circled above in the hope that there might be something in it for them. Their shrill cries soon attracted a few of their mates. Again the cormorant surfaced briefly, some thirty yards downstream and its prey still wriggling. So it continued, many yards downstream each time, the seagulls still circling overhead, until the river swung to the left and we saw them no more.

Not knowing the outcome of this epic struggle was disappointing, but on the following Sunday the cormorant was standing on a little bank of shingle by the bridge, apparently an innocent bystander watching the passing scene.

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