New Audlem resident?

Whilst heading along the towpath towards Adderley we encountered a new Audlem visitor/resident. Just by the bridge at the end of the cutting at the top of the locks, there appeared to be some debris floating in the canal. On closer inspection it proved to be very much alive. Initial thoughts of a discarded meat pie, a drowning tortoise or a baby turtle were proved wrong.

No doubt about it, a fully grown (ie hand-sized) terrapin. And no, it's not April 1st, nor had we been to the Shroppie Fly.  It seemed quite happy in the canal, although its shell looked a bit battered: got too close to a boat propellor maybe?

Anyway, we watched each other for a few minutes, then we left it in peace and continued to Adderley. On returning 45 minutes later, there it was sunning itself in the grass next to the towpath. On seeing us it quickly executed a dive back into the canal.

So if you're walking near to bridge 74, be careful where you put your feet! Apparently they're omnivores and can give you a nasty nip. We've seen occasional reports of terrapins in the canal system, but not in the Audlem area.

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