27/10/2026
What does an otter survey actually involve?🦦
Recently, we headed out into the upper River Tarras to look for signs of one of the river’s most elusive residents: the otter.🌊
Having caught a glimpse of one on a camera trap earlier in the year, along with some tail drag marks in the sand, we were looking for the clues they leave behind to see where they are hanging out. We walked upstream through the river, checking rocks and other prominent spots for spraint; otter droppings which they use to mark their territory. We were also keeping a close eye on the riverbanks, looking for holes and sheltered areas that could potentially be used as holts (where otters may breed and raise their young) or couches (sheltered places where they might rest or eat).🐟
And we found signs of otters at various points along the river!
We’ll use what we’ve found to help guide our plans for future river restoration and riparian planting. By identifying areas used by otters, we can build buffer zones into our plans and make sure that improving the river habitat doesn’t unintentionally disturb the wildlife already using it.💚
📸Photo 2 shows some otter spraint and photo 4 is an example of a couch!
