Bank vole

I usually only have fleeting glimpses of bank voles, but thanks to a fellow walker along the Deerness Valley Way in County Durham I had a good view of this one. Every day this kind-hearted benefactor leaves small handfuls of food for birds on rocks along this former railway line. Today the bank vole found the free handout irresistible, even though there's an abundance of autumnal natural food all around. This tiny mammal needs to be careful though - kestrels and barn owls also hunt along here.