Tales from the riverbank Take a walk along a river or waterway, just before sunrise or just after sunset and if you’re very, very lucky you may see a flat broad head of a wild Otter swimming. Not so many years ago, the sight of an Otter on the Thames, would have been impossible. The history of Otters does not reflect well on us. By the 1970’s, Otters were only found in Scotland and western Wales. Organochlorine pesticides and pollution made our rivers and waterways toxic to much of our wildlife which led to a massive decline in Otter numbers. A decision was taken to clean up our rivers and waterways so they now flow with clean fresh water. In England, as rivers became cleaner, Otters returned from the verge of extinction. At the same time persecution by man dramatically reduced as it is now an offence to disturb Otters or their habitat under the Wildlife & Countryside Act.
territory can cover 20km or more of river. Within this territory there will be many holts and day beds were an Otter can hole up, waiting for the cover of darkness, before venturing forth. You can increase your chances of spotting one by researching where the ideal habitat might be. Clean waterways, abundant prey stocks and vegetated banks are all Otter must haves. Look out for tell-tale tracks and signs, such as distinctive webbed toe paw prints in soft riverbank mud. Also, Spraint (droppings, often containing fish bones and scales) left at strategic points along an Otter’s territory, such as beneath bridges.
Its aroma has been likened, to that of jasmine tea. Once a shy, secretive animal, the Otter’s return to ancestral rivers and the increase in numbers has brought it closer to humans. If you find the signs of Otter activity, then with a lot of time, patience and luck, you could witness, what we think is one of the best sights in nature, a wild Otter. What better way to spend a summer evening, than walking along a river bank, looking out for Otters? Jacky & Mark Bloomfield
This renaissance has allowed our rivers and waterways to become a haven once more where wildlife flourishes. By 2011, every county in England reported Otters in their rivers. So at no time since the 1970’s have you had a better chance of spotting Otters on your local patch. Mind you, ‘easier’ is a relative term, when applied to Otters. They have a wide range of aquatic homes, from small ditches, moorland streams, lakes and ponds to large rivers. Many now make their homes in urban centres. This makes road bridges, a good place to spot an Otter from. The trick to spotting an Otter is patience and luck. All adults have a stretch of water they call home. This
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Living Along The Thames | MAY/JUNE 2018