Possible Otter Signs

jamesthornton · #1 (**permalink**) 12-01-2011, 01:25 PM

Is this a holt? It's sort of underneath a blown over tree root, but getting to it is proving very difficult at the moment.

A small scat found on a blown over tree going across a burn, just infront of the possible holt. Didn't have time to smell it or examine, but I will go back this weekend.

Some mammalian tracks on frozen water. Didn't dare walk out to try and get a print, but there is obvious tail drag.

Anything looking Otter?

Edit: This is at Crathes Castle. A burn runs into a large pond/small lake and then on into the River Dee. Otters have been seen here before but nothing this year I don't think.

Dogghound · #2 (**permalink**) 12-01-2011, 01:39 PM

The 1st photo could be anything im afraid. Although it does have potential to be a holt its impossible to say yes or no from a photo.

The 2nd photo looks good, this is likely to be a n otter spraint, it even contains fish.

3rd photo you will need to get a close up showing the pad structure and maybe a size.

jamesthornton · #3 (**permalink**) 12-01-2011, 01:41 PM

Hi,

Is there any defining factor I can check for if I can get to the 'holt'? The spraint was about 5m away. If I find more is that likely to increase the posibilty of it being a holt?

I think that's gonna be impossible now. We're getting a big thaw and the ice is very thin, it's probably some days old. I thought i'd put it up just incase, didn't expect an ID really.

Dogghound · #4 (**permalink**) 12-01-2011, 01:53 PM

Check the mud around the river/streams in the area. Look along bays or runs into the water you may find prints here.

Lots of droppings will mean you are within a territory so a holt will be within the area.

Holts can sometimes be hard to tell, they will often scrape vegetation away from the entrance but usually this is done in holts higher on the bank. Looking around the holt for signs of activity like footprints maybe prey remains and droppins can give them away too.

bigdave60dog · #5 (**permalink**) 12-01-2011, 02:20 PM

"Holt" could be anything. "Spaint" looks a bit "minkish" to me but it is hard to tell from the photo.
Tracks look OK but again could be other things so my verdict is Possible but Not Proven.
Dave

bigdave60dog · #6 (**permalink**) 12-01-2011, 02:26 PM

On second examination the "spraint" contains teeth and lots of hair-even more "Minkish". Our otters always make the entrance to their Holts above the waterline which this is not so on closer examination I am leaning in the favour of a mink rather than an otter.
You will loose those Watervoles for sure if I am right. Plaese let me be wrong.
Dave

Dogghound · #7 (**permalink**) 12-01-2011, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdave60dog

On second examination the "spraint" contains teeth and lots of hair-even more "Minkish". Dave

It contains Pharyngeal teeth from fish, which could mean either. The black tarry look to it is more suggestive of otter as is the shape, but thats just my opinion of it.

Otters can have holts at water level, below water level or higher up the bank.

mammalrecorder · #8 (**permalink**) 12-01-2011, 02:35 PM

Hi James

The potential Holt looks like it might be undermined banking. The 'spraint' contains what appears to be the lower jaw and teeth of a vole and a considrable amount of hair. I cannot be more specific as there is no scale in the picture but because of the contents it is most likely to be a mink scat.
I am afraid that I cannot see the tracks and prints on the ice well enough to comment.
Do bear in mind that if you find an occupied holt you should withdraw immediately unless you have a licence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 otherwise you would certainly be comitting a criminal offence.

Hope this helps.

jamesthornton · #9 (**permalink**) 12-01-2011, 02:35 PM

Edit: The Teeth you mention Dogg, is that the 1st piece of Bone at the end?. It wasn't a bright day but it didn't look so hairy in person.

I think I'll get back down there this weekend. I was planning on going down to the Feugh where Otters are often reported but perhaps this is more important if it could be Mink.

I have smelt otter spraint on a different site but never mink. I guess that could be the clincher.

Dogghound · #10 (**permalink**) 12-01-2011, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesthornton

Dogghound reckons he can see fish in there. Would you mind pointing out what looks like fish Dogg?

The bottom of the two white structures in the dropping (carnt make out the top one) is the remains of Pharyngeal teeth (throat teeth) from a fish. The general appearance of it is black, messy, sticky, tarry typical of otter spraints. The white is mould not hair.

Additionally.. a mink dropping would be more cylindrical and twisted than this especially if it contained lots of hair.