Otter spraint?

  • Hey Guest, Early bird pricing on the Summer Moot (29th July - 10th August) available until April 6th, we'd love you to come. PLEASE CLICK HERE to early bird price and get more information.

Staghound

Forager
Apr 14, 2008
233
0
54
Powys
www.mid-waleslogbuildings.co.uk
I guess this comes under tracking, I found these droppings a couple of days ago on a rock in our river and I am kind of hoping they might be otter. I broke one of them up and it contained small bones and what looked like fish scales which would fit.

spraint.jpg



The arrow shows where they were found

spraintrock.jpg


Any thoughts

Steve
 

Rhoda

Nomad
May 2, 2004
371
0
46
Cornwall
www.worldwild.co.uk
Aaah my speciality!! Definitely looks like otter spraint to me. They place it on rocks and high places so that the scent gets carried on the wind to mark their territory. Did you smell it? Smells remarkably like jasmine tea!! Good find (and yes it totally comes under tracking!) :D
 

Staghound

Forager
Apr 14, 2008
233
0
54
Powys
www.mid-waleslogbuildings.co.uk
Had another mooch along that stretch of river today (I am a genius at finding things to do that aren't work :D ) found another five or six spraints in a hundred yards or so, obviously it/they'd been around for a bit.

Haven't spotted the beast itself yet JonnyP, I did find what looked like a slide into the stream, might try and dig out my old camera trap at the weekend. I'll let you know if I have any luck.

Steve
 

Rhoda

Nomad
May 2, 2004
371
0
46
Cornwall
www.worldwild.co.uk
Loads of them, I did a big survey of the River Fal and tributaries and found spraint at nearly every site I checked, big increase in numbers since previous surveys too! If you ever fancy a wade down a river give me a shout, I'd be happy to show you some good otter spotting spots!! :D
 

JonnyP

Full Member
Oct 17, 2005
3,833
29
Cornwall...
Loads of them, I did a big survey of the River Fal and tributaries and found spraint at nearly every site I checked, big increase in numbers since previous surveys too! If you ever fancy a wade down a river give me a shout, I'd be happy to show you some good otter spotting spots!! :D

Ooh, yes please.. I will give you a shout...:) I have never seen otters outside of Scotland..
 

bear knights

Need to contact Admin...
Jan 18, 2007
71
0
49
Cornwall
hey JonnyP. saw rhoda last night and have invited myself along and think you need to bring your missus out too!! maybe a later search by canoe?!?
there's one woods near me that i'm sure I've found a holt but hasn't looked used for a while, although there is fresh spraint further up the river. have avoided going too close to holt in case I scare it off but there are fields opposite where we might get a view.
You being the dead keen boy I know you are ;), Cornwall wildlife trust has a specialist group called Cornwall otter group (appropriately enough!) and are always looking for volunteers to monitor one of the many river catchments.
 

JonnyP

Full Member
Oct 17, 2005
3,833
29
Cornwall...
hey JonnyP. saw rhoda last night and have invited myself along and think you need to bring your missus out too!! maybe a later search by canoe?!?
there's one woods near me that i'm sure I've found a holt but hasn't looked used for a while, although there is fresh spraint further up the river. have avoided going too close to holt in case I scare it off but there are fields opposite where we might get a view.
You being the dead keen boy I know you are ;), Cornwall wildlife trust has a specialist group called Cornwall otter group (appropriately enough!) and are always looking for volunteers to monitor one of the many river catchments.

Hey missy Knights, how you doing...
Sounds fab, esp a canoe trip.
I am not really in a position to volunteer for anything right now (v busy boy), but I would love to come out and learn a bit about otters and what to look for. I will give Rhoda a shout soon...
Hope your well...Janie says hello...
 

BCUK Shop

We have a a number of knives, T-Shirts and other items for sale.

SHOP HERE