Otter Tracking. (Pic heavy)

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Bushwhacker

Banned
Jun 26, 2008
3,882
8
Dorset
I went for a mooch about in the week and found this track.
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I decided to return on Saturday and am pleased to say that I found no fewer than 14 spraints in a 150m stretch.
Some were old and crumbled, others were recent and one (next 2 pics) was very fresh - still wet with a fishy aroma.
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They are predating on crayfish for the most part, a claw can be seen in this picture just above the lighter.

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Here's a pic of the river.
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Best part is that all of this was found right on my doorstep, so I can get down there as often as possible, hopefully I'll see one.
 
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Bushwhacker

Banned
Jun 26, 2008
3,882
8
Dorset
It looks like I'm being set up for a meet with James Williams who's the otter guru round this way to garner some of his knowledge. Hopefully I'll have some good sightings and some of his tracking knowledge to impart in the future.
 
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Bushwhacker

Banned
Jun 26, 2008
3,882
8
Dorset
A real scratchy photo from last night - hunched under a very low bridge in poor light and in a rush too. You can't use a flash because the light 'floods' the track and you see nothing.
Tried using a torch but couldn't keep my hand steady on the camera.

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Spraint on rock, recent but not fresh.

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Next pics were taken earlier in the year.
Some very old spraint - dry and crumbled.

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More old spraint.

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Well used crossing.

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Ronnie

Settler
Oct 7, 2010
588
0
Highland
Great thread.

Look for their drying areas where they rub themselves on the grass - unmistakable once you spot them.
 

Bushwhacker

Banned
Jun 26, 2008
3,882
8
Dorset
This one was slightly different as it shows predation on what I believe to be either moorhen or coot - both are evident in a pond adjacent to where it was found.
The spraint contains bird feather, bone and crayfish parts.


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Bushwhacker

Banned
Jun 26, 2008
3,882
8
Dorset
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There's a crayfish antenna evident in this.
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This rock is pictured earlier on in the thread. As you can see there's more fresh spraint since last time.
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Signal crayfish claw that's been munched on.
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Laughoutlouder

Forager
Jun 21, 2009
144
1
Dublin
Been a while since I have posted but I have been getting out and about plenty.

I saw an otter there a while ago.
Couldn't believe my eyes.

Was having a morning pee after getting the water on for brekkie and loping across the track it came.
Have logged the sighting with relevant people.

It's far enough away but going to try get back there soon and get a photo and collect some more evidence.

Strange place for the sighting though. Close to a stream but fairly upland. Doubt there were fish so high up. Bilberries were ripe though. Found a spraint, similar to those about in size, shape and location(elevated and prominant) with bilberries in it.

Catfood eh. Nice one, cheers for the info. Urgh...interfering with nature pangs....maybe ill do it.
 

Ivan...

Ex member
Jul 28, 2011
1,771
0
Dartmoor
Hi Paul, How did your survey go ? and i have been lucky enough to visit the secret spot where some of the Otter action takes place , its magic.Takes a little getting used to smelling and feeling their pooh ! sorry spraint , but when you find a good bit its amazing!that crayfish smell never leaves you , hope to catch up soon .

Ivan...
 

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