Big Waters

[cannylad]

Did anyone see the Channel 4 programme on the Big Water otters tonight, this is one of my local patches.
What were your opinions?,

[scholesy]

I have enjoyed this series, but I do sometimes think that the egineering projects seem a little over the top. I cant really imagine dormice using a 30m metal tunnel/bridge.

But the proof is in the pudding. The metal work way in the road convert worked, as an otter was seen using it straight away. And if it means otters wont risk using the actual road to get to the trout in the other part of the river system then great.

The work on removing the over grown reeds and grasses from the entrance to the convert will be a great help. Would be nice if the holt they built get used.

Have you had any otter sightings at Big Waters Cannylad?

Bill Bailey did't seem that enthusiastic about his first wild sighting of an otter. I would have been going crazy. Bill could do with getting his hands a bit more dirt too, if you ask me.

[cannylad]

Thanks for replying scholsey , i do indeed see otters at Big Waters. I am particularly pleased about this as i used to do volunteer work for the Northumberland Wildlife trust much, of it was helping to make things better for otters.

I was surprised at the amount of deaths of otters on the A1 but at least something has now been done to improve things.

Big Waters used to be plagued by Mink which had been released by Animal Libbers from a nearby farm some years ago, but since otters have moved in the mink seemed to have cleared out.

[Maple]

Living locally myself, I didn’t realise there were otters there until I saw the programme. When’s the best time to catch sight of them cannylad? Presumably dusk or dawn. Would love to see an otter – there’s supposed to be some on the Tyne at Newburn and at a place called Far Pastures here in Gateshead, but I’ve not seen any yet.

[cannylad]

Originally Posted by Maple

Living locally myself, I didn’t realise there were otters there until I saw the programme. When’s the best time to catch sight of them cannylad? Presumably dusk or dawn. Would love to see an otter – there’s supposed to be some on the Tyne at Newburn and at a place called Far Pastures here in Gateshead, but I’ve not seen any yet.

Hi Maple and welcome, the otters can be seen at dusk or dawn but i often see one around 10:30 am, no guarantees of course. Otters have spread to many waters in Northumberland and Durham i believe you are correct about Far Pastures though i have not seen one there myself.

There are 3 hides at Big Waters , 1 public and 2 require a key. These can be obtained from the Northumberland Wildlife trust. but as the west hide is often occupied you should be able to gain access and the locals are very friendly.

Other ponds i have seen them include East Chevington reedbeds and Druridge pools.

Hope this info helps. brian

[smartie]

Well, blow me down, I didn't even know Big Waters still existed - I thought it had been filled in for housing. Missed the programme, too.

I was born in Wideopen and used to spend a lot of time round the Waters when I was little in the 1950s. No otters then. I'm now full of excitement for when I visit my family in the north east after Christmas. Guess where they will all be going for an early morning walk or two

[Maple]

Originally Posted by cannylad

Hi Maple and welcome, the otters can be seen at dusk or dawn but i often see one around 10:30 am, no guarantees of course. Otters have spread to many waters in Northumberland and Durham i believe you are correct about Far Pastures though i have not seen one there myself.

There are 3 hides at Big Waters , 1 public and 2 require a key. These can be obtained from the Northumberland Wildlife trust. but as the west hide is often occupied you should be able to gain access and the locals are very friendly.

Other ponds i have seen them include East Chevington reedbeds and Druridge pools.

Hope this info helps. brian

Thanks for the information Brian. Will have to take a trip up there sometime soon with the old camera - who knows I might get lucky. I might try a look at the other two places as well. Thanks again.

[daven]

I was brought up in Seaton Burn and the "Watters" was our play area long before it was reclaimed and made into a reserve. I remember a few of us constructed a very serviceable raft out of railway sleepers, pit props and old doors in the early sixties. My mother gave me a right rollocking when she found out. Watching Bill Bailey and co. brought back memories for her so at the age of 59 I "got wrong" once again.

The top of the lane leading to the Waters up from the school (the Three Cundies) was a good place for water voles. As otters are now on the burn, and presumably forcing mink out, I wondered whether voles would return. Nort'd Wildlife Trust tell me there isn't a nearby population that could conceivably colonise it. Is this a possible candidate area for translocation?

[cannylad]

Hi Daven, the nearest Water voles to Big Waters are a few miles away. I would really love to see these beautiful mammals thriving again but they are in serious decline in Northumberland.

You have to be careful about reintroductions though, as a Wildlife Trust did try a Water Vole reintroduction without doing there homework properly, result almost overnight every one was predated.

Glad to hear about your early memories of this site, i will probably give it a visit on New Years day as its a canny place to see Redpoll and Water Rail.

[mavy2k]

Hi,

Im a photographer and I live in the pit houses next to Big Waters, I walk round it regularly early in the morning (to avoid the dog walkers) and have captured some great images of the Heron's round there, unfortunately I havent seen the otters yet, but I guess thats a reason to keep going!

I have seen an abundance of wildlife, especially birds including woodpeckers, tits, heron, cormeraunt and of course the many swans that frequent. I heard some time ago (1 or two years) we also had an osprey visit for a short time, anyone see it?

I have seen these beautiful birds in spain when I lived on the Rock of Gibraltar (together with Griffon Vultures, Red Kites, Black kites, wild barbary apes - not friendly and a host of snakes) but as yet have missed out on some of the special visitors we seem to get now and again at Big Waters, anyone seen anything unusual down there?

I did however have a kestrel with its catch fly into our window not long ago (must need glasses!) I was having a coffee at my mothers when we heard thud I looked around to see a kestrel shaking its head (rather like a cartoon) pick up its prey and fly off again!

BTW its been a long time since I was into ornathology (rusty) and would appreciate any advice on when, where and how to get some great pics there.

Thanks