Search for: Search. NORFOLK BIRD NEWS AND UK MEGA'S POSTED DAILY, PHOTOS, BIRDING AND MORE! footprint and droppings recognition, Iceland Gulls x 2 at Winterton. ANIMAL lovers have been left delighted after numerous sightings of otters in the River Kent. The otter has a large territory that may be over 10 miles for a dog otter depending on the food supply and cover that it affords. The Eurasian Otter is the only species of otter in the UK, occupying sea, rivers and lakes across the country. Posted: 15/06/2012. Following an otter free 1980s the number of records (actual sightings and field signs) began to rise from the early 1990s and have continued since then. By the late 1970s only 6% of national survey sites in the UK showed signs of otters, and otters had become largely extinct from the Midlands and Southern England. There were 350 + Grey lag Geese in the field above Collard's this morning plus 2 Pied Wagtail.In the Alder wood there were 30+ Goldfinch and 20+ Siskin's .On the lake were 200+ Shoveller & 200+ Teal.There was a Green Sandpiper on the new scrape near the old boathouse and a Goldcrest and 2 Bullfinch in the jungle. Otter sightings are still frequent on the reserve! The otter Lutra lutra is a semi-aquatic mammal, which occurs in a wide range of ecological conditions, including inland freshwater and coastal areas (particularly in Scotland). Now they're moving away from their traditional habitat and are searching for new places to live. So far we have: Trained volunteers in surveying for otter signs, e.g. Talking of which, today sees the publication of a new book entitled Tails from the Reedbed written by local otter enthusiast Elaine Prince. Keep your eyes peeled, as otter sightings are on the rise at Oxburgh Hall, after work took place to improve a stretch of the River Gadder that runs through the estate. Our otter population is widespread over many miles of coastline and sightings such as yours are an invaluable source of information that could help otter conservation. The International Otter Survival Fund (IOSF) is one of the world's leading otter charities. Sightings of otters are on the increase on the coast - now a project in Pembrokeshire wants to find out just how many of the animals are living there. Earlier in the summer, we were delighted to report that an otter had been spotted on the private stretch of river that runs just a … But it survived in Scotland’s cleanest bodies of water in the north and west. The Otter is nature's comeback kid after centuries of almost being hunted into extinction. Sightings have occurred during our daily swan feeds so it's worth heading down to have a look. Latest sightings. Birdgirl UK FaceBook (Mya-Rose Craig) George Rabin; Katie Horrocks website (Animals) Katie Horrocks website (Birds) Otters in Avon. It is the only wild otter species found in the UK. Our project aims to help secure their presence and improve their chance of survival. Otter surprise. Report your otter sightings Mull Otter Group is proud to have Mull’s own internationally renowned wildlife photographer and filmmaker, Gordon Buchanan , as our patron. An adult otter will be about 1-1.2 metres long from tip of the nose to end of the tail. The animal recently featured on social media and recorded at play in the canal. Otter populations are fragmented throughout England but there have been many sightings in the River Severn, Shropshire. Otters are on the increase nationally and in the Yorkshire Dales. Populations in coastal areas utilise shallow, inshore marine areas for feeding but also require fresh water for bathing and terrestrial areas for resting and breeding holts. Nationally, otter evidence was found at 58.8pc of sites surveyed in 2009 and 2010. More otter sightings. Otter encounter. A number of sightings of an otter has been reported at a nature reserve in Denbighshire over the past week. 08 Sep 2020. This morning one of the juveniles was seen feeding on the edge of the water immediately in front of the Peter Scott Observatory windows. Communications and Publicity 19) Use the otter as a key species to publicise the importance of water quality and riparian habitats to biodiversity. The graph below shows the number of 1km squares (monads) where otters were recorded in a given period. The only down side to yesterday’s report was the high number of otters killed on the region’s roads. Posted on 08 Sep 2020. In 1998 a project led by YWT built man-made holts in Upper Wharfedale to help the tiny population establish new territories. It is also known as the European otter and common otter. Other recent sightings of interest include kingfishers, a lingering merlin and of course our very obliging otters! We never share information on where otters are located. 18) Investigate the effects of disturbance on otter populations. The genuine Sea Otter is a different species found off the west coast of North America. An otter has surprised conservationists in Dorset by making a town centre pond its new home. The otter (Lutra lutra) was lost from most of England and Wales between the 1950s and the 1970s because of pesticide pollution of waterways. The only down side to yesterday's report was the high number of otters killed on the region's roads. Greater Bristol Otter Group: txt 07952 285873 to report any Otter sightings, signs or dead animals in Avon. In the UK IOSF is the only charity solely dedicated to the conservation, protection and care of otters based on years of scientific research in the UK and around the world. Nationally, otter evidence was found at 58.8pc of sites surveyed in 2009 and 2010. Mull Otter Group , … The species was driven to near extinction in some areas between the 1950s and 1970s, but thanks to improvements in water quality and greater protection it can once again be found across Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and – as of 2011 – every county in England. Northern Ireland (seal or otter) DAERA: marine.wildlife@daera-ni.gov.uk: Isle of Man (all species) Manx Wildlife Trust(Marine Officer) 07624 450879 or 01624 844432: Cornwall (all species) Cornwall Wildlife Trust Marine Strandings Network: 0345 201 2626 The otter’s droppings are known as spraint and otters use them to mark their territories How to recognise In the UK otters can only really be confused with the introduced American mink, but otters are much larger (95-130cm in length, including tail), with a distinctive white throat. If you can’t find the real thing, visit the friendly carved stone otter at the Otter Pool car park on the Raiders’ Road Forest Drive in Galloway Forest Park. ... For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services . Photo courtesy of The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. Otter sightings on the Foss There have been numerous sightings of otters on the Foss at Strensall, but it’s even better when these sightings are backed up with a photograph. Today, the species is flourishing across Scotland, and recovering well across the UK as waterways are cleaned up. Their playful watery antics have given much-needed cheer to passersby and have brought some welcome relief from the worries of the second national lockdown. The rare animal has been spotted up to 50 times in the past two weeks at … Reported otter sightings along the River Ribble. Action: EA. Where? Across the rest of the site there are plenty of lovely birds about. There are also regular otter sightings along the wooded shores of Loch Lomond and at Culbin on the Morayshire coast. The Mull otter is the Eurasian otter, Lutra lutra, a member of the Mustelid family which also includes Badgers, Mink and Pine Marten. Description and ecological characteristics. MY TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY 2020! Sightings of an otter in Ripon Canal, have provided a silver lining to a lockdown summer overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic. An encounter with an otter in the wild is a magical experience. The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) is a large member of the weasel family that can reach nearly a metre in length and weigh up to 12 kilograms. FOR SALE: BIRD & LANDSCAPE PAINTINGS, BOOKS, COUNTY REPORTS & MORE – KEEP CHECKING THIS POST! The return of the otter to waterways across the country is one of the UK’s top conservation success stories. Within this territory the otter will live in dens that are called holts. Andy Rothwell, who carried out the survey, said: "It has been a delight to discover an otter has explored much further inland than we have found before and reached the Eastern Yar. Action: EA, BAG. By the 1970s, otters were restricted mainly to Scotland, especially the islands and the north-west coast, western Wales, parts of East Anglia and the West Country (though they remained common and widespread also in Ireland). Helen Webster takes a look at the best places to spot otters, how to boost your chances of a sighting, and tips to avoid disturbing these amazing creatures. Mr Trotter said that despite recent otter sightings in the area appearing to have increased, there is no evidence to suggest otter numbers have. This otter was spotted recently about half a mile north of the Sheriff Hutton road bridge by RFS member Dave Russell. By 2008 otter spraint (droppings used to mark their territories), tracks and fish remains were being regularly reported from Otley Wetland Nature Reserve and from the Washburn Valley but with only very occasional sightings. What You Can Do • Report any sightings of otters or otter signs in Nottinghamshire to the Biological and The resurgence of the otter River improvement work is continuing to benefit wildlife at Oxburgh Hall, with regular sightings of otters now being recorded on the estate. It has been spotted at Brickfields Pond in Rhyl where it is believed to be feeding whilst the lower reaches of the River Clwyd are in full flood. Although there is currently no organised monitoring of otter numbers in Cumbria, the trust uses indictors such as scent marking signs to determine the prevalence of otters in certain areas. Origin & Distribution: The otter is a secretive semi-aquatic species which was once widespread in Britain. 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