Jan 2005

Thanks to Cumbria  Wildlife Trust who allowed me to run another field day. The focus was on the present situation of otters in Cumbria then we went out into the field to see what evidence we could find

The otter evidence found on the day included prints, spraints, tracks, layups, tail markings, sign heaps, fish remains and lots of scratching.  Another great experience.
 
 
Jan 2005

Otter killed in RTA on A590 at Greenodd.  This was a large dog otter crossing from the woods into the estuary. Very strange behaviour as it looks like it was taking a short cut from the River Crake to the Leven Estuary.  Pictures and more news to follow hopefully.

Dec 2004

Otters move on to local reservoirs leaving an abundance of evidence from their nightly jaunts.
Light green patch on raised ground just before stream disappears under ground
spraints had small fish remains and one egg
non-typical spraint next to an old spraint which has bones clearly visible. Black spraint was 150mm long 
Nov 2004

Plans for otter holt at Hay Bridge were finally realised and we picked a cracking day for it.  The grassed area in the picture adjacent was the chosen site. (Sponsored By the Aquarium of the Lakes)

 
Digger moved in and the turf was stripped away and a round chamber and entrances were formed
The holt and entrances were built with local stone and the main chamber was lined with dpm to keep moisture at bay
entrances were formed to give a natural appearance and re-turfed.  one entrance would be possibly submerged during the winter
The squad and the project coming to an end.  My thanks to all the volunteers at Hay bridge and to the Aquarium of the Lakes for sponsoring the project

Sept 2004

Young otter found on the Esk.  Estimated to be approximately 7 weeks old.  The otter was watched periodically from a distance for 4 hours. It was becoming very distressed and the walkers decided to recover it.
 where otter was found on the Esk
otter transferred fed and kept overnight awaiting a furthe transfer to the IOSF on Skye
otter was found to be in perfect condition and was in the transition from milk to solids
Arrived at IOSF head quarters and given another otter (cuddly toy for company) Otter was named Bonnie by the walkers who found her.
Bonnie is thriving on Skye and has the full range of the otter vocabulary.  She is very wild and eating whole fillets. Bonnie will be transferred back to the  Esk and hope fully be rehabilitated in late spring early summer

Jan 2004 otter killed

Another otter killed at Troutbeck on the road.  Its a mystery why they are being killed here and one can only guess at the reasons

  • they are using an old otter run

  • access to a tarn

  • flood water - but this was not apparent at the time

  • short cut

  • moving upstream

Picture courtesy of John Martin E.A.
Nov 2003

Otter was injured by car near R.Winster in Cumbria.  The otter was released after being examined by the local vet.  Pictures show at first what seems to be a healthy otter and the attempted release. The release failed and the otter was taken back into captivity hopefully to be rehabilitated at a later date.  Unfortunately the otter died a few days later. 

 
 

Nov 2003

Otter family found dead in poachers net.  A FAMILY of otters has been found dead in a poacher's net, which has dealt a blow to efforts to encourage them back to South Lakeland.  The discovery was made on the River Winster, near Lindale, and it is believed the net was set to trap eels illegally. An adult female otter and two mature cubs were found trapped along with the remains of an adult male and two mink.  The Environment Agency said the evidence suggested the female, possibly the mother, tried to rescue her cubs by chewing through part of the net but became trapped and drowned. John Martin, the agency's fisheries officer for South Cumbria, said: "This is a sad and unnecessary case. The owner of the net has avoided the duty payable on the net and the obligation to fit an otter guard. "In doing so, they have caused the death of a family of otters by drowning. Local otter populations have been increasing, but this is  step backwards in conservation."  The net is known as a fyke net, which is used to catch eels. The agency says use of the nets is illegal unless!  licensed by it.  Nets of this type are required by law to have otter guards fitted.  Anyone with any information regarding the offence or other wildlife crime should contact PC Dave Barnes on 01539-722611. Anyone wanting to report suspicious incidents can call the Environment Agency's  24-hour free emergency hotline on 0800-80-70-60.

 

Picture courtesy of John Martin E.A.

Details of fyke net with otter Guard
Aug 2003