Can’t be hotter to spot a little otter...

up in the pen with the calf. Naturally this caused some excitement on the farm, particularly what course of action, if any at all, should be taken. An otter rescue centre was contacted and as the otter appeared uninjured and in good condition it was thought that it would eventually leave of its own accord.

We kept out of the way apart from the opportunity to take a few photographs and place a plate full of dog food nearby, which it thoroughly demolished. It did not take any notice of Bambi moving in and out of the pen and seemed quite happy to stay as I took my photos.

By the end of the day, it moved out of the calf pen and set up home in one of the old chicken houses. The following morning was nowhere to be seen. With the Piddle in full flood, I would imagine that the otter’s holts and couches (an area above ground where they lie up) would be all underwater and a nice warm calf house nearby would seem an ideal place to stay for a while.