Otter Day Out
As I live near to Bingley, I decided to walk along the Leeds-Liverpool towpath to Shipley to meet fellow trainees taking part in the Trust’s “Otter Day”. This had been arranged by Don Vine, Conservation Officer under the Mid Aire, River and Otters Project. Don had obtained a narrow boat so that we could congregate and watch a PowerPoint presentation about otters given by Sylvia Jay.
What I enjoyed about the presentation was the knowledge provided by Sylvia and her enthusiasm of the subject. Don provided excellent back-up with comprehensive handouts. Later that morning, we all disembarked near Hirst Wood, so that we could examine a stretch of the River Aire for typical spots that could be used by otters as resting places. Sylvia explained sites favoured by otters such as a gap in the bank, under tree roots and large river boulders. Although no spraints or tracks were found that day, the visit was invaluable. My first love in nature is bird watching so the next day my wife and I visited the RSPB Reserve at Leighton Moss in Lancashire. We enjoyed the large numbers of duck down at the Eric Morecambe Hide near the coast but also visited the main hides near the reserve centre. Coming back from one of the hides, we reached a small bridge running over a ditch. On either side of the bridge were concrete blocks and I remarked how Sylvia had explained how otters like to leave spraints close to water but in places unlikely to be flooded. You’ve probably guessed it! On one block we saw a lump of jelly next to a pile of green fragments. Touching the pile secured a nice oily smell of fish on my fingers and confirmed that the pile was made up of tiny fish bones. The staff at the reserve supported my observation. I knew there were otters at Leighton Moss but finding the spraint was really useful for when I start my part in the survey on the River Aire to be organised by the Trust.
My thanks go to Don and Sylvia for an interesting day plus those in charge of the narrow boat. The home – made vegetable soup went down a treat.
Shaun Radcliffe
