This feature is from Country Living magazine. CIRIA. I did some filming of Otters in Scotland, in the film you will see the male Dog Otter, and the female bitch Otter at play. & Saunders, R. (2011) Working with wildlife: guidance for the construction industry (C691). Sea otters eat shellfish and other invertebrates (especially clams, abalone, and sea urchins). Grogan A., Philcox C. & Macdonald D. (2001) Nature Conservation and Roads: advice in relation to otters. The coast and islands of western Scotland are particularly important for this species and coastal otters are occasionally referred to as 'sea otters' despite the fact that they are exactly the same species as the animals which inhabit freshwaters further inland. “We’re delighted that Kate has taken up the invitation from the Sea Savers to champion otters in the Scottish Parliament.” Species Champions is a Scottish Environment LINK campaign which asks MSP s to lend political support to the protection of Scotland’s threatened wildlife. 2003. They are slightly larger than our native European otter and are probably the most numerous Otter species in the wild. Sea Otter Cottage - Unforgettable. And so on, and on, till autumn sends us tourism scribblers into adjectival overload. Chanin P. (2003) Ecology of the European Otter. Otters fish throughout the day and night. We are a Devon-based charity dedicated to protecting and promoting a positive understanding of the European otter and its conservation.We want everyone to be able to engage with and appreciate these beautiful animals, and we work hard to raise awareness, educate, and share information in as many ways as possible! Negative impacts on otters are most likely to arise as a result of the following: Otters can use holts 500m from water so, because a site is not next to water it does not mean that otters may not be present. If a potential problem is identified, then often a modification to the development is sufficient to ensure that otters will not be adversely affected and no offence committed. If breeding is suspected where construction work is already underway, on-site activity should be suspended until it can be demonstrated that either (a) breeding is not occurring on site or (b) the cubs are sufficiently old (and therefore mobile) for alternative sites to be used elsewhere. If it is not possible to avoid having an effect on otters during the course of your work, you will need to consider what measures to take to mitigate any damage or disturbance. The European otter (the species present in Scotland) is a large, semi-aquatic mammal which grows to around 60-80cm in length. In freshwaters, otters feed mainly on fish such as trout, salmon and eels, but in the spring spawning frogs and toads become important prey. Vegetation should not be cleared from this area. Here these usually shy and elusive animals live in close proximity to humans. Coastal dwelling otters require a ready supply of fresh water to wash the salt out of their fur, which would otherwise rapidly lose its insulative properties. The species that is found in Scotland is the European Otter (Lutra lutra) part of the weasel family, which grow to a size of 3 foot in length. From one pup to six will be born at a time but sea otters normally have a single offspring. Printer friendly version E-mail a link to this thread Sleek, solitary and certainly not to be confused with sea otters that are native to the North Pacific, Scotland’s otter population is positively thriving, with current estimates thought to be around 8,000. Otters are a highly protected mammal species. It’s estimated that there are 8,000 living in Scotland. habitat destruction – the availability of suitable cover is essential for otter shelters and for the animals to tolerate disturbance, damage to shelters – these are essential for breeding and resting, destruction of food sources – damming rivers and streams, draining ponds and otherwise altering watercourses may all contribute to a reduction in the amount of food which is available, disturbance – otters are intolerant of dogs or, where suitable cover is absent, intense human disturbance such as recreational areas. Their diet is … The principal issues affecting Scotland’s internationally important otter population are: road kills and other unnatural mortality. They eat a huge variety of things such as small fish and frogs. Thus surveys undertaken during periods of high water or peak leaf fall are unlikely to be productive. 156 80. Otters are known to be pretty incredible hunters, living off a diet of mostly seafood. If breeding is confirmed but the cubs are still very young, it is advisable to suspend work for up to 8-10 weeks in the area until they are mobile. However, there is unlikely to be any time when spraints are not found, except during or after heavy rain and flood conditions. Otters are largely solitary, semi-aquatic mammals that obtain most of their food from lochs, rivers or the sea. Also, the size of the watercourse is no indicator as small streams are often used as feeding sites and connecting routes. There's Ackergill Haven in the bay beyond Ackergill Tower . Scottish Environment Protection Agency (2000) Ponds, pools and lochans. Otter shelters are legally protected whether or not an otter is present. Otter's Tail provide Sea kayaking, gorge and hillwalking experiences on and around the beautiful Isle of Arran. Visit two of the world's most beautiful countries on a five-night Balmoral cruise Subject: RE: Sea Otters in Scotland : Edited by libby 2008-09-16 12:16 AM: Jump to page : First 1 Last. 7. Continuing Threats and Conservation Despite the healthy recovery of the UK’s otters, they still face numerous threats and it wouldn’t take much to tip the balance against their favour once again. Scotland is rich in wildlife, nature and picturesque scenery that will keep you entertained. In the south of Scotland otters regularly travel between the sea and fresh water, however, the further north one goes the more of a marine creature the otter becomes. In freshwaters, otters feed mainly on fish such as trout, salmon and eels. Came across this by accident. There are organised Otter Walks which leave from North Uist's Langass Lodge in summer, so they are certainly 'resident' down that beautiful shoreline. Otters, seals, and historic gems: Set sail for Scotland and Norway and discover... Northern Soul. In this part of the world, sea otters are found on the west side of Vancouver Island, never here in the Strait of Georgia. Contrary to common opinion Otters are commonly seen during the daytime. Under these circumstances, the ideal is to design river crossings that retain a wide strip of accessible riparian habitat on either side to accommodate spates. In fact, they are now recognised as … Live music fills the air in the evenings, while days are … In such circumstances, it may be possible to incorporate an artificial holt within the rock armour fabric of, for example, newly constructed coastal defences, provided that the necessary measures are in place to prevent otter access to nearby roads. Otters are regularly seen in Shetland, which has the highest density of otters anywhere in Europe, and possibly the world! If this is likely, and you need either a licence or planning permission, the competent authority is obliged to carry out an Appropriate Assessment of the implications of the project against the conservation objectives for that site. Highways Agency (1998) Design Manual for Roads and Bridges. Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers Ecology Series No.10 English Nature, Peterborough. The International Otter Survival Fund (IOSF) is one of the world's leading otter charities. Otters live along the seashore and in rivers or lochs, more commonly in the north or west coast. https://www.scotlandguides.org/about-otters-in-scotland.html However, where there are imperative over-riding reasons for continuing with the work and risking disturbance, provision exists within the licensing system to facilitate this. Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers Conservation Technical Series No.5 English Nature, Peterborough. Disturbance after completion of work can be minimised by maintaining as much tree and scrub cover around the otter shelter as possible. This can be enhanced by planting additional thicket-type vegetation and, if necessary, fencing off the entire area from livestock. Despite these threats, the Scottish otter population is flourishing and in most parts of the country, there no evidence to suggest that they are having a detrimental effect on the overall population. for Scotland. There is also provision in the legislation to allow certain otherwise illegal activities to take place under licence. Scotland has a long history, some glorious (Bannockburn), some infamous (Glencoe) and some downright bloody tragic (most trips to Wembley or the World Cup). Otters can be seen almost anywhere along the shores and are often to be seen from the ferry slipways. Welcome to the UK Wild Otter Trust! If they are to be successful, you should seek advice on the type, location and construction, taking into account the general needs of the species. In the Shetlands, as in the rest of Scotland, most otters live and feed off the sea. The most gregarious by far are sea otters, which are polygynous (males mate with multiple females). At high tide, they are more likely to be resting. Canoeing and Kayaking. Subsection Edinburgh, Fife & East Scotland. there are imperative reasons of over-riding public interest including those of a socio-economic nature. Review of Tarlair Open Air Swimming Pool. These may be development projects, ranging from a new transport infrastructure to individual house plots. The scope of each survey must be tailored to suit the circumstances and the scale of the proposed work. Our native otter reach 12kg but the heaviest was recorded at 23kg back in the 19 th century being almost 6 feet in length. A very interesting article. This will involve a balance between the ideal and what is likely to be achievable in practice. Mammals and birds are also taken occasionally. Commercial eel fishing and ‘creeling’ for crustaceans has also been identified as a threat in some areas. Overview. The Scottish Sea Life Sanctuary was established in 1979 with the stated aims of rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing back into the wild injured or abandoned marine animals, as well as promoting awareness of the diversity and fragility of the marine environment. Finden Sie perfekte Stock-Fotos zum Thema Sea Otter Eating sowie redaktionelle Newsbilder von Getty Images. It should be noted that they are not technically 'sea' otters as these are a sub species found along the coast of Japan, Canada and USA. The River Otters are found throughout Alaska, Canada and the northern United States, and are hence named the North American River Otter. 12 Apr, 2017 News Sea otters. Where this is not possible, other measures may help to avoid, reduce or offset any impacts. See more ideas about sea otter, otters, otter love. Where it cannot be determined that there would not be an adverse effect on the integrity of the site, a development may only be permitted where: It is not the intention of the law to prevent all development in areas used by otters. All of these can have detrimental effects on otters, predominantly by impacts on their food supply. Your Sea Otter Scotland stock images are ready. Level Contributor . Before any work starts on site, this protection zone should be fenced off to keep people out, whilst not affecting otter movements. Consideration may also be given to other riparian species, such as water voles. Otters live along the seashore and in rivers or lochs, more commonly in the north or west coast. Getty Images. 0:30. Nowhere else in the British Isles are coastal habitats more important for this species than the coast and islands of western Scotland and Shetland; so much so that coastal otters are occasionally referred to as ‘sea otters’ despite the fact that they are exactly the same species as the animals which inhabit freshwaters further inland. They can be found throughout Scotland in a range of habitats where there is fresh water - all European otters must wash daily in freshwater to keep their coats in good condition. This will protect the shelter during the construction phase and, if necessary, form the basis for the provision of enhanced cover thereafter. Kruuk H. (2006) Otters: Ecology, Behaviour and Conservation. Any temporarily exposed pipe system should be capped to prevent otters gaining access when contractors are off site. In coastal situations, a slightly different design based on the latter is usually more appropriate. Now the population has recovered, otters can easily be seen in many areas, but particularly on the west coast and the islands. In planning your project, you need to consider whether your work may have a significant effect on such a site (either alone or in combination with other plans and projects). Conservation and Management . As well as being vulnerable to the loss of their shelters, there may be habitat loss which leaves them more open to disturbance, or pollution which may affect the animals as well as their food supply. Guidance on good practice in the management and creation of small waterbodies in Scotland. The species was driven to near extinction in some areas between the 1950s and 1970s, but thanks to improvements in water quality and greater protection it can once again be found across Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and – as of 2011 – every county in England. Save. The waters here are clean and the otters hunt in the kelp forests, mainly for fish and crabs. Otter's Tail . Otters are common occupants in rivers in Southwest England, East Anglia, Northwest England, Wales, and Scotland and are travellers over many kilometres. (1997) Otter Survey of Scotland: 1991-94. The creation of a protection zone, particularly in urban areas where there may be a risk of vandalism, should always be undertaken carefully and without attracting undue attention. Particular attention should be paid to important riverine habitat features such as in-stream islands and reed beds. As a general guide, a survey of 200-250 m both upstream and downstream of the site should suffice for small schemes such as individual bridges, pipeline crossings, local bank work and individual houses. For sure, Scotland is a colourful place: the vibrant greens of Argyll’s woods by the sea-lochs; Grampian heather moors in August when the heather is in bloom; the weird silvery flat light of the far north as it glints off the quartz-strewn slopes. 41 reviews. There are otters found in Scotland. Save. Two things which need to be noted. As well as the specific protection for otters and their resting places, the Government has designated a suite of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), 44 of which have been selected in Scotland for their otter interest. Scotland ; Scottish Highlands ; Caithness and Sutherland ; Wick; Search. Reviewed August 19, 2018 . 1 of 22 Flying in? Their historic range included shallow waters of the Bering Strait and Kamchatka, and as far south as Japan. (If prevention of access cannot be assured, it is wise to discourage the use of rock cavities for this purpose, and infilling the large ones may, therefore, become necessary). Otters are regularly seen in Shetland, which has the highest density of otters anywhere in Europe, and possibly the world! But don't mistakenly call these beasts 'sea otters' – they are still our native otter, and not the different North American sea otter. Scottish Natural Heritage must be consulted in such cases. … The aim of this is to identify any sensitive features, notably otter shelters, and to establish the presence or absence of otter activity; it is usually the presence of otter shelters that ultimately constrains licensing of a development. 1 bathroom. Otters can be seen almost anywhere along the shores and are often to be seen from the ferry slipways. If you need planning permission for your work, you should provide sufficient information to help the local authority make this assessment. In the UK IOSF is the only charity solely dedicated to the conservation, protection and care of otters based on years of scientific research in the UK and around the world. The exact size of this protection zone will be influenced by local circumstances and may need to be larger than this in some cases. Recreational sites should be planned to minimise the direct impacts of humans and dogs on the most important areas of otter habitat, including the most significant areas of cover. At a local level the proposals may directly impact on the otter’s breeding or resting site. In the sea Porpoise are very common with Dolphins visiting too. Strachan, R. (2007) National survey of otter Lutra lutra distribution in Scotland 2003-2004. Forestry Commission Scotland & Scottish Natural Heritage (2009) Guidance Note 35c: Forest operations and otters in Scotland. Otters can live wherever there is a rocky shoreline and nearby freshwater, but these tips will give you the greatest chance of spotting one in the wild. Vincent Wildlife Trust, London. 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. In Scotland the majority of otters are coastal, preferring rocky, sea-weed covered shores close to a source of fresh water. Reference to national survey data, such as the NBN gateway and reliable local sources, may be helpful to find out if there are otters in the vicinity. Scottish Environment Protection Agency (2010) Guidance for applicants on supporting information requirements for hydropower applications. The only place I've ever seen otters in North Uist was out at Cheesebay.Always seen them, and usually each day, on Mull though of course, not much use when you are in the Outer Hebrides! Similarly, a detailed survey of at least 100 m either side of any indicative proposed routes for access tracks is required to ensure that the final route for the track does not impact on otter shelters. Found a dead otter in Scotland? For large extensive developments such as wind farms, the survey will need to include both watercourses and a wider spatial element, to ensure that the positioning of the turbines and associated infrastructure will not interfere with any key features for otters. Cottage. If this is not possible, a much larger protection zone will be required of between 100 and 200 m from the otter shelter. Sea otters use rocks to crack open the spiny shells of sea urchins. New roads (and some existing ones) can be a particular problem for otters and may lead to significant mortality amongst the local population. Our aim is to keep you safe and give you a truly inspirational experience. This provides a safe route under the bridge at all times. Nevertheless, Scottish Natural Heritage continues to work closely with developers and road engineers to ensure that the appropriate mitigation measures are put in place on new road schemes to avoid casualties. There are several different specifications for these. These recommended distances should be extended if any small watercourses provide routes to lochs or short watershed crossings, to locate important routes for otters. The Scottish population is unusual in that it comprises a particularly high proportion (perhaps 50% or more) of coastal-dwelling individuals that feed almost exclusively in the sea. They have a warm brown coat, a pale chest and neck and a broad snout. Scotland is the principal stronghold for the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) with the majority of the total British population resident here. They are 95% aquatic and spend pretty much their entire lives in kelp beds just off the sea shore a kilometre or two. They eat a huge variety of things such as small fish and frogs. In some cases, a broader survey area of 500 m on each side of the various alternative routes may be more appropriate. For these large sites, complete coverage of the whole site may not be practical so, for large wind farms, a radius of 250 m around each turbine location and associated infrastructure should be surveyed in detail with the intention that, should an otter shelter be discovered in close proximity to any part of the development, the proposals can be amended to avoid damage to the shelter. scottish highlands. Nature Conservation Advice in Relation to Otters (Under revision). Sea otters are known for their remarkable ability to use rocks to … The work should be supervised by an appropriate specialist and measures should be taken to ensure that the shelter is unoccupied at the time. 7,277 posts. There are circumstances in which the destruction of an otter shelter may be done under licence. European River Otter (Lutra lutra) mother and pups sleeping, Shetland Islands, Scotland Otters can live in most places where there is a rocky shoreline and nearby freshwater, but these tips collated by Joe Gibb – with the help of otter aficionado Roger Cottis – will help give you the greatest chance of spotting an otter in the wild. Even apparently benign proposals such as the development of an area for outdoor recreation can have an impact on otters if dogs are permitted on site. All evidence of otter activity should be recorded within this area. Seals and otters are obviously adorable, but puffins always give them a … When on water, these groups are called rafts, and the largest one ever recorded contained up to 2,000 sea otters. Otters are legally protected in Scotland by the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.;) Regulations 1994 (as amended) – “the Habitats Regulations”. It’s estimated that there are 8,000 living in Scotland. Irrespective of water conditions, spraints are unlikely to be found near to natal holts, particularly while the cubs are young, and these could therefore be easily missed. You can see plenty of golden and sea eagles in Scotland - if you know where to look for them. Sea otter in Morro Bay, California Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) are classified as marine mammals and live along the Pacific coast of North America. The return of the otter to waterways across the country is one of the UK’s top conservation success stories. While river otters mostly live off fish, crayfish and crabs, sea otters have a more interesting method of sustaining themselves. In riverine and other freshwater habitats, both log pile holts and pipe and chamber holts are commonly constructed. The solution usually lies with appropriate stock protection measures and guidance is available on protective fencing from the Specialist Anglers’ Alliance and in Otters and stillwater fisheries. The whiskers on the otter are called “vibrissae” and are used to … 1 year ago. When considering large scale industrial and/or housing developments in flood-plains, a holistic approach is needed in which consideration is given to the possible effects of the proposals on the river catchment as a whole. I did some filming of Otters in Scotland, in the film you will see the male Dog Otter, and the female bitch Otter at play. Scotland's medium-sized mammals may not weigh more than the big boys out at sea, but they're certain to set hearts a-flutter when seen on the seashore or banks of a loch. Fortunately many developments, such as the installation of pipelines, are sufficiently flexible to avoid otters and their shelters if the animals are found on site in good time. The species has declined in many parts of Europe, including much of Britain during the 1960s and 1970s, but this was relatively minor in Scotland compared to England and Wales. If you would like more information on our most up to date policies, please feel free to contact us. Liles G. (2003) Otter Breeding Sites. Otter's Tail provide Sea kayaking, gorge and hillwalking experiences on and around the beautiful Isle of Arran. Enjoy and learn about otters with Shetland’s leading otter tour specialists Learn otter field craft and tracking skills Educational insight into otter ecology and behaviour Unrivalled up-to-date local knowledge of sites & environment Peace of mind that you are also supporting otter conservation Track & watch otters along Shetland’s beautiful unspoilt coastal wilderness Brydon & […] When the sea is calm, it may be easier to spot an otter swimming on the surface while fishing. 'S board `` sea otter '' on Pinterest this early can identify potential promptly... ( 1998 ) design Manual for Roads and Bridges ( 1998 ) design Manual Roads! Gorge and hillwalking experiences on and around the beautiful Isle of Mull account... 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