This is as close as you can get to swimming with otters in Canada, for those that dream of swimming with otters. The iconic mammals are becoming a more common sight in many towns and cities. There are several places in the UK where you might be able to spot otters. Otters live along many of Scotland’s waterways, but head for the west coast and the islands for the best chance of spotting them.Choose Kylerhea otter hide near The Isle of Mull’s beautiful Calgary Bay in the north-west and Salen Bay are good viewing points. Keep reading to find some of the best places in the UK where you can witness some otter action – but first, you need to know…, You can increase your chances of seeing otters by…. Guided Nature Tours in Greater Manchester, Merseyside & Lancashire Website Built & Supported By: WebCentric360.com. The otter’s droppings are known as spraint and otters use them to mark their territories How to recognise In the UK otters can only really be confused with the introduced American mink, but otters are much larger (95-130cm in length, including tail), with a distinctive white throat. Look for track marks by the water’s edge and see if you can find any holts (otter dens) along the bank. Back in every English county since 2011 and seen even on urban rivers, the otter is at last reclaiming lowland wetlands far beyond its Scottish and Welsh strongholds. Blandford Forum (often known as just "Blandford") is a nice little market town in Dorset, England. This is the original and best "Otter Experience" that visitors have been ejoying for over 15 years. Buckfast Butterflies & Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary North Americans, Eurasians and Asian Short-Claws at a fine otter good places park. Bosherston Lakes, or Lily Ponds as they’re also known, were initially created in the 18th century as a landscape feature. One of the most rewarding wildlife experiences in Britain, an otter is a magical sight and a conservation success. Otters are familiar animals in books, films and television programmes and are found almost everywhere in the world except the large oceanic islands of Madagascar and Australasia and the frozen ice caps. Corrin Mason, from Kendal, also managed to capture a mischievous pair. Book your tickets now and enjoy up to 10% discount! The growing cubs stay with the bitch otter for over a year gaining hunting skills. Otters! Cricklepit Mill (Devon Wildlife Trust) An urban site with easy access and regular otter sightings, often during the day. Did you know that Shetland has the highest density of otters in Europe, possibly the world? Thanks. This wonderful Welsh setting makes for a beautiful backdrop for bird-watching thanks to its variety of species of birds, but those with patience or a bit of luck can see otters too. Tracks/footprints: Otter prints can be found at the edge of river banks, in gravel, sand, and mud, and on tarmac if they have just left the river. rbrown10 / Shutterstock. Junior Aquarist and VIP Behind the Scenes Experience, Researching the otter habitat before visiting – there must be clean waterways, abundant prey stocks, and vegetated banks, Visiting the habitat at dawn – otters are mainly nocturnal, though you may find some that are active during the day in remote areas that are free of human disturbance, Looking out for signs – such as their distinctive webbed toe prints in soft riverbank mud, their droppings, and/or their aroma. Druridge Bay - The Pools along Druridge Bay are the best places to spot otters. Eurasian Otter. Seeing the signs of otters is far easier than seeing the animals themselves. Where Can You Find Otters in the UK? In fact, sea otters are the only non-primate mammal to use tools. The islands are one of the best places to see them, and otters have evolved here to be at home with the salt-water coastal environment and the long hours of summer daylight. Parts of Ditchford Lakes are surrounded by mature scrub like willow, which provides perfect shelter for various wildlife species, including breeding and wintering birds and, of course, otters. So the real trick to otter-spotting is patience, with a healthy dose of luck thrown in. But don't mistakenly call these beasts 'sea otters' – they are still our native otter, and not the different North … Aughton Woods is situated near the River Lune, a well-known otter hotspot. Meet ZSL London Zoo's oriental short-clawed otters, Pip and Matilda. The world’s smallest marine mammal can live on both land and water and are found in most English counties due to their clean rivers. Northumberland. The Mull otter is the "He has never seen one before and I personally have never seen one in the Kent before." Loch Sunart on either side of the loch, including Ardnatang Bay, are well known for otter sightings. The sinuous otter is an excellent swimmer and can be seen hunting in wetlands, rivers and along the coast - try the west coast of Scotland, West Wales, … Your email address will not be published. Two rescued Alaskan sea otters have become residents in our new £multi-million marine rescue facility as part of a pioneering education and conservation project. Also, be sure not to try and get too close to otters, or any wildlife for that matter, as you may disturb them. After their epic journey from Alaska to Birmingham, the pair have been settling into their new home under the watchful eye of our Otter Care Team. Perhaps the most foolproof location for otters is the Isle of Mull. Now that you’re ready to spot some otters, here’s where you should be heading…. I grew up with books like Tarka the Otter and Ring of Bright Water and despite spending a lot of time nature-spotting in the UK, I had never been lucky enough to see … Nature Talks & Walks. Their contact call is a clear “peep” whistle. Otters have returned to every county in England in a turnaround of their fortunes which once saw them on the brink of extinction. What wildlife can I see? Otters also have particularly stinky poop, which even has its own name: spraints. Tees Valley Wildlife Trust. The mustelid is active by day or night, though generally more nocturnal on fresh waters. If you’re determined to catch a glimpse of otters and not afraid to brave the cold, try visiting from October and December, when the otters turn up at the waterfalls to take advantage of the leaping salmon. Other sea lochs along Scotland's west coast are similarly rich in otters, which can be seen foraging for food on the water's edge. Also, be sure not to try and get too close to otters, or any wildlife for that matter, as you may disturb them. Despite becoming almost extinct from England and Wales otters have managed to thrive on Scotland’s rugged coastlines and wild moorlands and today otter numbers there are thought to exceed 8,000. Meet ZSL London Zoo's oriental short-clawed otters, Pip and Matilda. This ancient woodland on the River Lune is consider an otter hotspot. It is also called European Otter and Eurasian River Otter. Now that you’re ready to spot some otters, here’s where you should be heading… 1. Although not the first time she had seen an otter in the Kent, she said it was nice to see them again. Did you know that you could see otters at Blue Reef Portsmouth? Otters are making themselves at home in UK cities | Natural History Museum. Answer 1 of 13: We are visting Newport for a couple of nights (and Astoria for a couple more) in July. Along riverbanks and waterways, look for five-toed footprints (about 6-7cm long) and droppings or ‘spraints’. We are unable to confirm exact number of otters, but we can give simple advice to enable both species to co-exist. Next, take a deep whiff of your freshly brewed mornin… Otters have the densest fur of any animal—as many as a million hairs per square inch in places. Nowadays, these freshwater lakes support nature conservation features and are home to rare animals like otters, wildfowl, and over 20 species of dragonflies, and plants including curled pondweed, white water lilies, and stonewort. A real treat for otter fans and lovers of nature and wildlife. Yes, about every mile of Mull’s coastline could be home to otters, yet spotting them can be tricky because their seaweed-coloured coats blend in so well with the seaweed-covered rocks and their little heads can so easily be mistaken for rocks sticking out from the water when they’re taking a curious peep above the surface. Visit the Kylerhea Otter Hide for a great chance to see an otter. When to see. Following the UK Government’s announcement of a national lockdown, ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoos will be closed from Tuesday 5 January until further notice. There’s also the chance to see birds such as kingfisher, little egret and dipper. The best time to see otters is either at dawn or dusk. 4. In addition to otters and minks, this woodland wonder provides ample opportunity for wildlife spotters – you can also spot badgers, sandpipers, and oystercatchers along the way. "Our four-year-old son was absolutely thrilled to see an otter," she said. They are important sites for birds and other wildlife. © FLPA/ Alamy Stock Photo. Rewarding wildlife experiences in Britain, an otter, head to Scotland, species..., also managed to capture a mischievous pair to get a glimpse of these shy creatures on either side the! Nature and wildlife next, take a deep whiff of your freshly brewed May! 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