Otter Tracking. (Pic heavy)

[Bushwhacker]

The Autumn survey went quite well. I covered a lot of miles going to different survey sites and some places were hard to access but I found positive sign in each site, however, the name of the game is to find fresh sign which I managed to do on 5 out of the 12 sites.

 

[pilotlight]

Out for a walk with the dogs and came across these tracks on a small stream. I think they are otter, but a bit of confirmation from more experienced folks would be helpful. They were quite small compared to other tracks I have seen and I suspect they are from a juvenile.

I hope the upload or link works!

https://picasaweb.google.com/106140005057147792350/Jan12Walks?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ71wLiMuMX_Hw#5697845113660878594

Umm that didn't quite work the way I wanted, anyway if the link works the tracks are on there. By the way it's the house boss at the start!

 

[JonathanD]

Difficult to say what they are without a sense of scale. But they don't have otter characteristics as the toes seem to big in proportion to the pad and too close in. Actually looks more feline.

 

[Bushwhacker]

I can't see the pics unless someone can upload them onto here and make them bigger (they appear too small on my phone). At this stage all I want to know is, are you the lead singer of AC/DC?

 

[JonathanD]

I can't see the pics unless someone can upload them onto here and make them bigger (they appear too small on my phone). At this stage all I want to know is, are you the lead singer of AC/DC?

Same for me. They are really tiny and can't make them out properly. Is there a hi def version you can copy to the thread.

 

[blacktimberwolf]

Could they be mink tracks ?

 

[pilotlight]

I did not have anything to compare the size of the tracks with me sadly. But I would say they were small. Could not see any claw marks but I'm not sure if the show all the time with otter.

could be a Cat which would be disappointing, unless a puma! Mink are prevelant round here, but I always thought they were claw pointed.

and sadly I am not THE Brian Johnson.

I'll try and download a photo, although I am not sure if I have the rights. there are other photo's on my site.

 

[Bushwhacker]

Otters don't have long claws as a mink would since they forage amongst rocks and pebbles, turning them over to look for smaller 'insignificant' fish and crays and in doing so wear their claws down.

 

[pilotlight]

I've just borrowed the Preban Bang (what a great name!) animall tracks book and the more I look, the more cat comes out. so close to the water and new year over-exuberance and lack of knowledge methinks!

 

[blacktimberwolf]

Prehaps he's looking for otter or mink fishy left overs..........

 

[BOD]

Nice stream. Thanks for posting

 

[Bushwhacker]

Been back surveying again.
Here's some more pics.

Run into/from water.

Several spraints in the grass here.

Run cuts out a large bend in the estuary and the 'X' shows where the other entry/exit point is.

 

[andrew_cc]

Some great tracks down by the river at my folks house this weekend... three sets coming out onto a muddy bank...

These guys used to be a bit of a pain if you were fishing, one night one swam right past me scaring the heck outta me.

Anyway, here is the piccy

 

[Bushwhacker]

That's a cracking set. Were the 3 sets all the same size or, indeed, the same animal?

 

[andrew_cc]

Two of the sets were approximately the same size with the third set being larger. Im inclined to believe it was indeed three separate ones, as they all emerged from the river at this spot and all went in a straight line up along the bank until I lost the trail over a very stony part.

Ill have to go down again with the camera a few times to see for sure if there are three, but in all honesty, Im not entirely sure when otter breed, Ill have to check online. I remember seeing young ones there a few times during the summers though.

That river in notorious for having lots of wildlife but every time I do take the camera down I can never seem to get a ‘good’ shot. Think there was only one I ever managed that I liked of a heron at sunset. And Im sure the kingfisher likes teasing me, getting out of range and flying off whenever Im ready…. its also a wonder he can fly with that stomach of his, its amusingly large considering his tiny little size !

 

[Bushwhacker]

That could well be a bitch with two youngsters.
They have the ability to breed all year round.

 

[Lupin Rider]

I was sat by river in a wood near our place tonight silently waiting to see if i could see a roe buck ive watched from the same spot a few times when i heard a plop on the bank opposite and spotted what i can only describe as i imagine to be an otter to pop up throw something on the bank, do a flip back into water swim along and under a overhanging tree. After a minute it poped out from under e tree and did the same again. Tried to get a snap on my phone but its only a shot of shadey river. Question i have is do you get otters on rivers up here? Or is my brain /eyes deceiving me?

Id walked out with a full rucksac (cheers louis) and my binos were unfortuanetly in the pack.

 

[Bushwhacker]

Question i have is do you get otters on rivers up here? Or is my brain /eyes deceiving me?

That's what this thread is for.
It should give you enough pointers to be able to find the necessary field sign to know.

 

[Lupin Rider]

Hoped to get out there today but ended up with a 16 hr work day instead.

Will let you know how i get on.

 

[nic.]

Really useful - We'll go and have look at the streams below our house- maybe I have been unfairly accusing a fox for taking out chickens.