The Bigg Bird Forum

[Pauline W]

We have had evidence of an otter here since the autumn of 2006, footprints and descaled fish, but I couldn't believe it when I saw it fishing today. I had my camera and managed to get some photos, not brilliant ones but who cares.

otter
Poster: Pauline W, viewed 42 Time(s)

otter 2
Poster: Pauline W, viewed 51 Time(s)

[Kit]

That's brilliant, Pauline! I've never seen an otter. How close to you is the river where you saw him?

[Pauline W]

Hi Kitty, We own the land which is bordered for about 1/4 mile or so by Bow brook. About 12 years ago a survey was done along the brook and we were asked not to clear the banks too much as it is ideal otter territory, the bank is also undercut which they like too. I have been keeping a record of fooprints and descaled fish since 2006. I never dreamt I'd see it, especially in the middle of the day. I have never seen one in the wild before and how lucky to have one on our own bit of Bow brook (it's very deep and wide in places) I think they have a large territory, I'll have to swat up on them now.

bow brook
Poster: Pauline W, viewed 60 Time(s)

bow brook
Poster: Pauline W, viewed 42 Time(s)

[Peter]

Very exciting. I can "hear" the joy in your description. It is so fantastic to see them. I wonder whther the day time sightings are now really more common.

[Pauline W]

So exciting Peter. It must be amazing to see them anywhere in the wild, but to actually have one here is almost unbelievable, It's like christmas when I was small. I had visitors/helpers with the ponies and donkeys and we decided to have a walk by the brook before the forecast rain set in for the afternoon,so very nearly didn't but couldn't disappoint the moorhens, ducks, 2 swans and tame robin who wait for their daily bread. So glad we did. It dived, rolled, and seemed to thoroughly enjoy itself, it even ate a fish. I hope it shows itself again so I can be ready for some better photos.

[Kit]

You're so lucky to live somewhere like that, Pauline! Mind you, it must be very hard work indeed keeping it all going. I do hope you see the otter again. If you have visitor/helpers around quite frequently, he may just get used to you being there and show himself more often.

[JohnD]

I think I saw one on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal at Slathwaite this afternoon. The head was not out of the water as in your pictures, but flat with the surface, a dark body could be seen under the water behind the head. It dived several times and disappeared for several minutes at a time. The last dive left a trail of bubbles, towards Huddersfield sending up a mallard drake that had been swimming in the canal. I have never before seen any duck rise so steeply from the water , It flew to the bank where it stayed.

[Pauline W]

It is lovely Kit and worth all the hard work. I haven't seen the otter again but it is still feeding along our stretch of the brook. A few fields further down is an old mill house with waterfalls and the remains of fish have been found there too.
John, take your camera and keep a look out for footprints and other signs. If I hadn't had my camera and friends with me, I would have thought I dreamt it.

[Karwin]

Ivar The Otter:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA6Yl1QPGJY

[Strixaluco]