2. We do not want to see otters persecuted because people feel they have no other avenue, and we do not want to see beautiful fishing waters closed down when there is help available. We will go to the Newport Aquarium but is there also a good chance of seeing otters in the wild? Spotting one chomping on a meal is very memorable indeed. A real treat for otter fans and lovers of nature and wildlife. An otter ( Lutra lutra) at a river in Thetford town centre, Norfolk, UK. However, as with all mammals, otters are a notoriously skittish bunch. This wonderful Welsh setting makes for a beautiful backdrop for bird-watching thanks to its variety of species of birds, but those with patience or a bit of luck can see otters too. Otters have returned to every county in England in a turnaround of their fortunes which once saw them on the brink of extinction. If you’re here to see otters, note that you’ll most likely catch them out and about in early morning. Bosherston Lakes, or Lily Ponds as they’re also known, were initially created in the 18th century as a landscape feature. Where Can You Find Otters in the UK? Following the UK Government’s announcement of a national lockdown, ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoos will be closed from Tuesday 5 January until further notice. "He has never seen one before and I personally have never seen one in the Kent before." Aughton Woods is situated near the River Lune, a well-known otter hotspot. Some of them are listed below: Aughton Woods. Next, take a deep whiff of your freshly brewed mornin… Otters can be found in many different bodies of waters, from large locks and lakes to smaller rivers and streams. But don't mistakenly call these beasts 'sea otters' – they are still our native otter, and not the different North … There’s also the chance to see birds such as kingfisher, little egret and dipper. There are several places in the UK where you might be able to spot otters. And these 5-foot-long, 70-pound sea-dwelling creatures eat about 25 to 30 percent of their body weight each day. Following a period of serious decline between the 1950s and 1970s when the species was driven to near extinction in some areas, these water-dwelling mammals have made a comeback in every county in England and beyond. Otters have the densest fur of any animal—as many as a million hairs per square inch in places. Although the town itself is nice enough, the real treat here is the stretch of the river Stour that runs roughly parallel to the main high street known as East Street. Otters are making themselves at home in UK cities | Natural History Museum. Scotland is the best place in the UK to see them and particularly on the coast, where they are generally more active during the day. Guided Nature Tours in Greater Manchester, Merseyside & Lancashire Website Built & Supported By: WebCentric360.com. Few animals among Britain’s native wildlife are as endearing as otters. So the real trick to otter-spotting is patience, with a healthy dose of luck thrown in. Corrin Mason, from Kendal, also managed to capture a mischievous pair. Where to see; Things to think about; Related species; Active and breeding throughout the year, a female otter with cubs is often more visible than male, or dog, otters who are usually bigger and more solitary. They find their prey mostly in the sea, but they are not sea otters, a different species found on the Pacific coast. May 11, 2013 - Find where to see otters around the UK. Keep reading to find some of the best places in the UK where you can witness some otter action – but first, you need to know…, You can increase your chances of seeing otters by…. Jan – Dec. Facts. A UK's first - Sea Otters! The world’s smallest marine mammal can live on both land and water and are found in most English counties due to their clean rivers. Look for track marks by the water’s edge and see if you can find any holts (otter dens) along the bank. Thanks. © FLPA/ Alamy Stock Photo. All rights reserved. The Isle of Mull’s beautiful Calgary Bay in the north-west and Salen Bay are good viewing points. We first… Though still considered rare, the species is widespread in the UK and can be seen in almost every county. Otters! Junior Aquarist and VIP Behind the Scenes Experience, Researching the otter habitat before visiting – there must be clean waterways, abundant prey stocks, and vegetated banks, Visiting the habitat at dawn – otters are mainly nocturnal, though you may find some that are active during the day in remote areas that are free of human disturbance, Looking out for signs – such as their distinctive webbed toe prints in soft riverbank mud, their droppings, and/or their aroma. Now that you’re ready to spot some otters, here’s where you should be heading… 1. I grew up with books like Tarka the Otter and Ring of Bright Water and despite spending a lot of time nature-spotting in the UK, I had never been lucky enough to see … For the best chance of spotting an otter, head to Scotland, the west coast of Wales, East Anglia and South-West Endland. Seeing the signs of otters is far easier than seeing the animals themselves. Loch Sunart on either side of the loch, including Ardnatang Bay, are well known for otter sightings. This group includes weasels, stoats, mink, skunks and badgers. Otters live along many of Scotland’s waterways, but head for the west coast and the islands for the best chance of spotting them.Choose Kylerhea otter hide near It’s not uncommon to see a sea otter swimming on its back, using a rock as a tool to pry open mussels, clams, or abalone. Among mammals, otters have the thickest fur: In one square inch of an otter’s body, around one million hairs are covering it. Oftentimes, they are found by the River Lune. Discover playful otters, majestic red deer and even lovable bottlenose dolphins right on your doorstep. That would really make our trip. This is as close as you can get to swimming with otters in Canada, for those that dream of swimming with otters. These are 2 – 7cm long, will contain fish bones and scales, be tarry and black but turn grey when old, and naturally, will smell very strongly of fish! Meet ZSL London Zoo's oriental short-clawed otters, Pip and Matilda. Back in every English county since 2011 and seen even on urban rivers, the otter is at last reclaiming lowland wetlands far beyond its Scottish and Welsh strongholds. Blandford Forum (often known as just "Blandford") is a nice little market town in Dorset, England. You need to hike if you wish to get a glimpse of these shy creatures. Their contact call is a clear “peep” whistle. Tracks/footprints: Otter prints can be found at the edge of river banks, in gravel, sand, and mud, and on tarmac if they have just left the river. They are important sites for birds and other wildlife. Perhaps the most foolproof location for otters is the Isle of Mull. Did you know that Shetland has the highest density of otters in Europe, possibly the world? If you look hard enough you may be able to spot their footprints in the wet mud – a telltale sign of their presence. The trick is to look carefully at the trail and pay particular attention to footprints; an otter’s footprints are usually … Did you know that you could see otters at Blue Reef Portsmouth? Buckfast Butterflies & Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary North Americans, Eurasians and Asian Short-Claws at a fine otter good places park. Aughton Woods, Lancashire. The sinuous otter is an excellent swimmer and can be seen hunting in wetlands, rivers and along the coast - try the west coast of Scotland, West Wales, … Spend a morning with the keeper at the Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary Buckfastleigh and gain an exclusive insight into the secret world of the otter and the work of the sanctuary. Photograph: Environment Agency/PA The otter’s droppings are known as spraint and otters use them to mark their territories How to recognise In the UK otters can only really be confused with the introduced American mink, but otters are much larger (95-130cm in length, including tail), with a distinctive white throat. Visit the Kylerhea Otter Hide for a great chance to see an otter. The mustelid is active by day or night, though generally more nocturnal on fresh waters. Awaken slowly on your high fibreglass kayak (or on a stand-up paddle board, if you prefer) to the morning mew of the playful otters near the calm, kelpy waters. Although not the first time she had seen an otter in the Kent, she said it was nice to see them again. The Mull otter is the This ancient woodland on the River Lune is consider an otter hotspot. West Coast Expeditions, located on Vancouver Island offers a 5-day kayaking expedition with sea otters tour. Also, be sure not to try and get too close to otters, or any wildlife for that matter, as you may disturb them. That said, otters are very shy animals! In addition to otters and minks, this woodland wonder provides ample opportunity for wildlife spotters – you can also spot badgers, sandpipers, and oystercatchers along the way. It is also called European Otter and Eurasian River Otter. Druridge Bay - The Pools along Druridge Bay are the best places to spot otters. Contact Paul Wilkinson at enquiries.westmidlands@canalrivertrust.org.uk. If you’re determined to catch a glimpse of otters and not afraid to brave the cold, try visiting from October and December, when the otters turn up at the waterfalls to take advantage of the leaping salmon. Other sea lochs along Scotland's west coast are similarly rich in otters, which can be seen foraging for food on the water's edge. The best places in the UK to see otters are Lodge Park and Sherbourne Estate, Gilfach Farm, Portrack Marsh, Winnall Moors, Aughton Woods and Knapdale Forest. rbrown10 / Shutterstock. Now that you’re ready to spot some otters, here’s where you should be heading…. The trick is to look carefully at the trail and pay particular attention to footprints; an otter’s footprints are usually asymmetric and often show only four toes instead of the five they have. There’s also an interpretation area where visitors can watch footage of otters visiting the Mill. What wildlife can I see? Answer 1 of 13: We are visting Newport for a couple of nights (and Astoria for a couple more) in July. A 400-acre farmland, Gilfach Farm is a nature reserve in the heart of Wales. After their epic journey from Alaska to Birmingham, the pair have been settling into their new home under the watchful eye of our Otter Care Team. Their favourite habitats include wetlands, rivers and coastlines. Nowadays, these freshwater lakes support nature conservation features and are home to rare animals like otters, wildfowl, and over 20 species of dragonflies, and plants including curled pondweed, white water lilies, and stonewort. Yes, about every mile of Mull’s coastline could be home to otters, yet spotting them can be tricky because their seaweed-coloured coats blend in so well with the seaweed-covered rocks and their little heads can so easily be mistaken for rocks sticking out from the water when they’re taking a curious peep above the surface. You just have to look harder! Otters also have particularly stinky poop, which even has its own name: spraints. Mar 17, 2019 - Where can I visit otters: Type in your location, and the otter finder will tell you the nearest place where you can go see otters. Otters belong to the group of animals known as the Mustelids. NWT manages five reserves along Druridge Bay: Cresswell Shore and Cresswell Pond, Druridge Pools, East Chevington and Hauxley. In fact, sea otters are the only non-primate mammal to use tools. Tees Valley Wildlife Trust. Aughton Woods is situated near the River Lune, a well-known otter hotspot. Otters are familiar animals in books, films and television programmes and are found almost everywhere in the world except the large oceanic islands of Madagascar and Australasia and the frozen ice caps. The British Wildlife Centre Unique opportunities to … One of the most rewarding wildlife experiences in Britain, an otter is a magical sight and a conservation success. Northumberland. Perhaps the most foolproof location for otter-spotting is the Isle of Mull, where you can find these mammals just about everywhere! Along riverbanks and waterways, look for five-toed footprints (about 6-7cm long) and droppings or ‘spraints’. Book your tickets now and enjoy up to 10% discount! Your email address will not be published. Yes, you don’t need to go to the countryside to have a closer look at these fascinating creatures. Eurasian Otter. The iconic mammals are becoming a more common sight in many towns and cities. Isle of Mull. Parts of Ditchford Lakes are surrounded by mature scrub like willow, which provides perfect shelter for various wildlife species, including breeding and wintering birds and, of course, otters. Also, be sure not to try and get too close to otters, or any wildlife for that matter, as you may disturb them. 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