How to watch otters?

2dogs2000 · #1 (**permalink**) 30-03-2010, 09:08 PM

I was naughty today and tresspassed on a farmers field (1st time ever) to get closer to the riverbank. Low and behold the farmer arrived.
(This is why I always stay on the right side of the law as I am always the one to get caught out).
Fortunately he was very nice and had no problem with me being there as long as I didn't go too far as they had OTTERS further along the riverbank.

He didn't want them disturbed but said I could go back in the summer to have a look.

Now who is going to give me advice on what to do/not to do and the best times for watching?

Picidae · #2 (**permalink**) 30-03-2010, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2dogs2000

Now who is going to give me advice on what to do/not to do and the best times for watching?

Sounds like the farmer gave you the best possible advice. (And the best time to return to watch the otters). Hopefully you'll heed his advice. It's good to hear a story of a farmer showing such a responsible attitude to wildlife on his land in the face of potential disturbance from walkers - we could do with far more of that!

I'd take him up on his offer of returning in the summer but make contact with him first to check it's ok and get his advice on the most suitable viewing point.

2dogs2000 · #3 (**permalink**) 30-03-2010, 09:45 PM

I couldn't believe how helpful the farmer was and I was amazed that he shared this info with me. I definitely won't go back until summer as I want to see them/not scare them off. Just hope he doesn't share the info with too many people as some might not be as considerate as myself

Picidae · #4 (**permalink**) 30-03-2010, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2dogs2000

Just hope he doesn't share the info with too many people as some might not be as considerate as myself

... and of course, it would be rather nice to have your own little 'private viewing' patch where you can enjoy them quietly and watch in peace! LOL That's how I always feel - bit selfish I know! I'm a terrible suppressor when it comes to wildlife!

2dogs2000 · #5 (**permalink**) 30-03-2010, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Picidae

... and of course, it would be rather nice to have your own little 'private viewing' patch where you can enjoy them quietly and watch in peace! LOL That's how I always feel - bit selfish I know! I'm a terrible suppressor when it comes to wildlife!

Well that comes into the equation, but my main priority is for them not to be disturbed by anyone, including me (but I still want to see them).

From the way the farmer was talking I think they are new to the area.

dampflippers · #6 (**permalink**) 31-03-2010, 08:07 AM

Hi, from your nickname...don't take your dogs with you!
I haven't managed to see any, so can't give any advice, but you could look for footprints anywhere else along the same river as they have a big territory. If you can gain access, look for muddy ground along the river edge or under bridges. Also look for spraints on logs, rocks, etc.
I think in most places they are nocturnal.

JoulesH · #7 (**permalink**) 02-04-2010, 11:24 AM

There are a lot of wildlife friendly farmers out there! As a farmer I had a similar experience last weekend. I was just finishing off a bit of late hedge planting next to a lane when a family car parked up on the layby and a fella asked if he could take his 2 kids for a walk through the field alongside the river. I pointed out that there is no public access on that field but there is a public footpath a short distance away. He looked a bit cheesed off and as he had bothered to ask I said well Ok then but one reason we don't normally allow open access is that we have otters, water vole and lots of wetland birds that we are trying to encourage and we are trying to minimise disturbance. As I was keen the encourage the kids to get interested in wildlife I said yes just this once and to keep their eyes peeled, I also warned them that in a few weeks there would be cattle in the fields including a bull.

We get lots of walkers in our river meadows next to town and although I can understand them wanting to go there they do cause a lot of disturbance - for example in the snowy weather we were keeping out of there so as to not disturb the waders who were short on energy but walkers kept going and distsurbing them.

Cowgirl · #8 (**permalink**) 02-04-2010, 03:41 PM

I think farmers appreciate being asked. Often they have good reasons (covered by posts below) not to want people trampling across their land. I once asked a farmer if I could run my dogs on a bit of set-aside which was next to a footpath, he nearly fell off his quad that I'd asked, but he was really nice & said sure thing, just to keep away from a certain areas that held his pheasant feeders. He was really quite appreciative & said he had no qualms about walkers & dogs etc but just felt aggrieved that they took permission for granted because they thought "well I'm not any harm".

ps I'm like you 2dogs I always get caught & in addition have a big "I am guilty" sign on my forehead.

When I lived on one farm, I once intercepted two walkers who were about to walk down a farm track which was not a footpath (the footpath went throught the farm yard. I asked them if they needed help but they were quite rude & said they knew all about maps & had a right to be there etc & no they didn't need any help etc etc I was only going to point out that it was the next track that they wanted and that the track they were heading down went through the part of the cow yard that was about knee deep (we'd had a lot of rain & it was winter) in slurry & mud. I left them to it.

Serves them right

Rich_ · #9 (**permalink**) 05-04-2010, 09:49 AM

2Dogs..

I see otters quite frequently when I am fishing, both on rivers & when out in the boat on lakes & lochs. They are generally known as nocturnal, but I've seen them at all times of the day, often in the afternoons.

If you have an idea where they are, behave as if you are fishing, ie, take a flask and some food, choose a vantage point, get your camera or binoculars ready and just sit and wait. They will probably know you are there from the start so provided you, make any movements slow & deliberate, they will get used to you and maybe make an appearance. Behaving as if you are stalking them possibly makes them more wary. I've seen them swimming about in the afternoon on one lake when there were several yachts sailing about in the area. By becoming part of the scene,you will also see other things while you are waiting , like water voles, kingfishers etc.

On one occasion, again in the afternoon I was watching 2 of them less than 100 yds away from me catching and eating eels, I put the rod down and sat for ten minutes watching and got the camera ready. Eventually one surfaced very close to the boat & I was able to get this picture...

The main things you need is patience and time, because you may need to sit for several hours, but I think this will be far more productive than wandering round looking for them. This is probably the main reason why they are so rarely seen.

2dogs2000 · #10 (**permalink**) 06-04-2010, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich_

2Dogs..

I see otters quite frequently when I am fishing, both on rivers & when out in the boat on lakes & lochs. They are generally known as nocturnal, but I've seen them at all times of the day, often in the afternoons.

If you have an idea where they are, behave as if you are fishing, ie, take a flask and some food, choose a vantage point, get your camera or binoculars ready and just sit and wait. They will probably know you are there from the start so provided you, make any movements slow & deliberate, they will get used to you and maybe make an appearance. Behaving as if you are stalking them possibly makes them more wary. I've seen them swimming about in the afternoon on one lake when there were several yachts sailing about in the area. By becoming part of the scene,you will also see other things while you are waiting , like water voles, kingfishers etc.

On one occasion, again in the afternoon I was watching 2 of them less than 100 yds away from me catching and eating eels, I put the rod down and sat for ten minutes watching and got the camera ready. Eventually one surfaced very close to the boat & I was able to get this picture...

The main things you need is patience and time, because you may need to sit for several hours, but I think this will be far more productive than wandering round looking for them. This is probably the main reason why they are so rarely seen.

Thank you Rich that's the sort of info I was looking for. I am a patient person and sitting by a river bank for a few hours suits me fine (without the fishing rod though).