Otter

Otters live in a variety of aquatic habitats including, rivers, streams, canals, lakes, estuaries and coastal areas. They occur regularly both in rural and urban areas, in fact the majority of my Otter sightings have been of urban Otters in the town of Taunton Somerset, this despite the fact that I live on the banks of the river Tone which is an Otter ‘hot spot’. To the untrained eye Otters can be confused with the introduced American Mink.

Otters are fully protected under the ‘Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010’ and the ‘Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981’. It is unlawful to kill, capture, injure or disturb an Otter, the legislation also protects any places that they use for shelter.

Morelia Ecology has the training, expertise and experience to carry out Otter surveys and can advise on aspects of Otter conservation and their legal protection.

Otter surveys can take place at any time of the year although Otter activity levels fluctuate throughout the year and foot prints are best detected when water levels are low. An Otter survey is conducted by surveying for the following;

Spraint (droppings)
Feeding signs
Holts and resting places
Foot prints