An Otter!

[marchogaeth]

Great excitement, which I have to share. My eldest went to feed her sheep this morning and came across an otter in the stream between the garden and the field. We think it must be a sea otter on his rounds. We must be at the furthest end of his run being about 10 miles from the coast even as the crow flies.

Anyone got any advice on the best way for all of us to see him and maybe get some pictures?

[veggiechicken]

How fantastic, M. I do hope you get to see it again.

[Urban]

Brilliant, would love to see one of those

[GardenFaery]

not sure..feet of feathers and lots of tuning in and waiting... this looks good though and may help?

Shetland Otter Watching

[marchogaeth]

not sure..feet of feathers and lots of tuning in and waiting... this looks good though and may help?

Shetland Otter Watching

Diolch. Wow they are just so amazing aren't they. Not going to do anything for a few weeks in the hope he will settle to feeling safe around us. I will post if anything positive happens. (Before anyone asks it's not a mink!)

[marchogaeth]

Looks like it's a fresh water otter. We think it has a den in the edge of the stream, may just be moving in. Interestingly, all the cat food is disappearing over night but there is no hedgehog poo which is usually a sign they have been in.

[GardenFaery]

Croeso.

"In Britain it was thought that escaped feral minks had contributed to the decline of the otter in Britain by competing for food, but recent studies suggest this isn't the case. The otter's worst enemy has been man, due to habitat loss around the world.
Otters were very endangered in Britain, due to agricultural chemical poisoning and loss of habitat. Thanks to conservation efforts they now have good populations in many parts of the country"
from
Amblonyx's Quick Guide to Otters

Yet another species decimated by those human beans... good to see they are coming back

[Peas'n'Kews]

An otter, how otterly lovely! Please let us have updates when you 'ave 'em

[marchogaeth]

I saw it! Loping through the grass, totally unaware of anything but getting back to his den. I was too engrossed to run for the camera, will do better next time, I hope.

[Peppermint]

Fantastic We've been privileged to see one just once up here (but we keep looking). It was fishing for crabs I think - it was absolutely brilliant. I hope you managed to capture yours on camera

[Mr Bones]

I've been really close to sea otters on a number of occasions (within a few feet). Some have rather poor eyesight, if you can get downwind, be very quiet and still and hopefully it will come to you out of curiosity.

[marchogaeth]

I've been really close to sea otters on a number of occasions (within a few feet). Some have rather poor eyesight, if you can get downwind, be very quiet and still and hopefully it will come to you out of curiosity.

Despite our initial guess, it's actually a fresh water otter. Smell shouldn't be a problem though, I'm watching from the kitchen window! It's more down to keeping the windows clean and then having a "better" camera handy. It would be great to have it coming up to us, they are among our favourites at Twycross Zoo, where they are really cheeky!

[veggiechicken]

Wow, Marchogaeth. I hadn't realised you could see it from the house! You lucky bunny!!

[bradlo]

How amazing !!!!!!!!
Lucky you !
You are evidently having an 'otter summer than the rest of us !!!!!

[Glutton4...]

Fab - I'd love to see them. Thanks for the links too, they're lovely.

Good luck M!