Otter attack?

[twitchingrick]

Hi guys, my mate is into fishing and read on one of the forums that an RSPB reserve has has an otter take eggs and chicks from a nest of an extremely rare bird. I'm assuming it must be a bittern!
Anyone heard about this or got any more details. I don't know which reserve it was or if it was defo a bittern. BUt I'd like to find out. If it's true that could be a real problem.

Rick

[rossy]

welcome twitchingrick , doesnt look like anyone has heard as yet, but i only found out the other month, that otters will predate nests and chicks, also on springwatch one chased a goose out of the reeds at night, so it wouldnt come as a surprise to me, rossy.

[Ukwildlifeo]

As some fisherman seem to want an otter cull (a tiny minority it appears though thankfully) I'd take the story with a pinch of salt. That said it is possible, though the sharp dagger like beak of the parent bittern would proberly discourage it!

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

As some fisherman seem to want an otter cull (a tiny minority it appears though thankfully) I'd take the story with a pinch of salt.

Could be true but I totally agree with the intention behind your post. Any stories that seek to malign any species of birds or animals should be seen in the context of the motives of the people that want to highlight it. Cormorants, Otters, Birds of Prey etc have all come under attack from those who feel their interests are being threatened in some way and trying to maximise public exposure (including using the internet) of the ''bad'' behaviour of such creatures towards other creatures is just one way these people will try and gather momentum to support their causes.

Keep it in perspective.

[RKB]

Otters are common predators of eggs and chicks, and also small mammals and birds, but then so are Pheasants, Black-headed Gulls, Tawny Owls, Badgers, Hedgehogs, sheep and cows. So, as said, let's keep it in perspective.

[Hedgehoggy]

..and to remember that our otters are protected under UK and European law, and are also a priority species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP).

[Goatboy]

....and also to remember that recent research suggests otters may be a big help in removing mink from our countryside.

(hopes he hasn't opened a can of worms with that one)

[leon_heller]

Pet otters even eat their owners - Gavin Maxwell lost a couple of fingers to his, as did Terry Nutkins, when working as his assistant.

[solus]

Originally Posted by leon_heller

Pet otters even eat their owners - Gavin Maxwell lost a couple of fingers to his, as did Terry Nutkins, when working as his assistant.

I can't remember off-hand which species they were but his "pets" were definitely not the native British otter.

[leon_heller]

They came from Iraq. Maxwell got a pair of them when he was with the explorer, Wilfred Thesiger, and the Marsh Arabs. In his book, A Reed Shaken by the Wind, he describes how he got them.