Otter Spotting

wearside weasel · #11 (**permalink**) 07-12-2006, 05:18 PM

Hi Vinny,

Earlier in the year I went on a guided walk on the River Till in North Northumberland with an otter expert.
Otters prefer to hunt in quite fast flowing water, where the fish will find it difficult to feel the vibrations of the hunting otter. With this in mind, choose a suitable location on the river and just be prepared to sit and wait. Early morning or late evening is best. This was the advice given to me by Kevin O'Hara of the Northumberland wildlife Trust. Is there a certain time of year when it is best to go otter watching though? Any ideas?

cheers WW

Meles meles · #12 (**permalink**) 12-12-2006, 09:29 PM

Hi there,

I dont know if its of any help but last year i walked along a river where a friend had said he so reguarly saw otters. Ok i am still an amature and will be for a while but i did spend two days looking at spraints, rubbing spots and food remains. Never even saw an otter but they were there. Since then i returned to the river only once, different stretch but again what seemed to be a popular spot for otter spotting since i met another keen amature who said he had been there daily for a little while seeing all the evidence off their existance, Yet again though no sightings. Nearly a year later watching a program i realised that the whole time i was with the other guy there was otters in the water, swimming right by us both.

The bit we both missed to spot.......

Long trail of bubbles in the water where the otter swims along the water bed.

So simple, just didnt know at the time

vinnychameleon · #13 (**permalink**) 13-12-2006, 05:14 PM

Hi meles meles was this in the daytime or night.

vinnychameleon · #14 (**permalink**) 19-12-2006, 04:51 PM

Anyone know what time of year is best to see them at?

Meles meles · #15 (**permalink**) 21-12-2006, 05:08 PM

Hi vinnychameleon,

The first two days i was at this particular spot was both around midday but the time i met and spoke to the other guy was early evening, about dinner time and i remember it still being quite light.

They say it is always better to look at dawn and dusk for any mammal. I tend to go places during the day to find any signs / clues that may indicate a good place to look. Also then i find it better to choose my observation point for my return.

Thinking about your other question as to what time of year is best. Otters are around all year, The Bitch may hide for a while especially when she gives birth to cubs, I know they stay in hiding untill the cubs are of a certain age (about twelve weeks). Maybe someone could tell as to when the cubs are born (if there is a common time

) and then about three months after that may be the best time as the bitch may have one to four cubs following her around possibly making it easier to spot.

Hope it gives you a bit more of a clue.

Cyanidepill · #16 (**permalink**) 17-07-2011, 12:08 PM

My husband and I went for a drive yesterday evening up to Amble & Warkworth in Northumberland. We pulled up at the River Coquet Estuary and sat and watched the Herons.

I noticed a splash, and thought it must've been a gull diving into the water, there was a few of them doing that. Then another splash and another a few minutes later and thats when we saw the otters head poking out the water.

I was so excited! I'd never seen a wild otter before. We were really lucky as we sat there for a further half an hour or so and saw two otters leave the river, run along the bank and then slip back into the water.

Lovely to watch them and I think we must've been really lucky. I'm toying with driving back up today but I bet they'll be nowhere to be seen! x

gazb1 · #17 (**permalink**) 17-07-2011, 09:22 PM

Hi There,
We have in the region of,or maybe above a thousand otters here in Shetland,but,it is still very hard to spot them.If I were you,I would survey the area you found the spraint spot,and look for evidence.Once you have found more evidence,mark out an area,in your mind,of where you want to watch,then,its just a case of patience.
Best Wishes,
Gary.

christ1979 · #18 (**permalink**) 18-07-2011, 03:15 PM

Even in places that they are abundant they are elusive! As others have said time & patience is the key & a lot of luck! Having just got back from North Wales today me & my partner spent the weekend looking, finding fresh spraints & prints but no otters

It must be nigh on 3 years since I last caught sight of our family, see here:

Otters in North Wales

Good luck & dont give up