Similarly, a detailed survey of at least 100 m either side of any indicative proposed routes for access tracks is required to ensure that the final route for the track does not impact on otter shelters. As a consequence, protective otter guards were developed for use with eel fyke nets, dramatically reducing otter drownings. Barton Broad - The largest Broad in the Ant Valley. F03AC309). Their historic range included shallow waters of the Bering Strait and Kamchatka, and as far south as Japan. As a general guide, a survey of 200-250 m both upstream and downstream of the site should suffice for small schemes such as individual bridges, pipeline crossings, local bank work and individual houses. Otters can be seen almost anywhere along the shores and are often to be seen from the ferry slipways. But don't mistakenly call these beasts 'sea otters' – they are still our native otter, and not the different North American sea otter. The species was driven to near extinction in some areas between the 1950s and 1970s, but thanks to improvements in water quality and greater protection it can once again be found across Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and – as of 2011 – every county in England. Otter's Tail provide Sea kayaking, gorge and hillwalking experiences on and around the beautiful Isle of Arran. European River Otter (Lutra lutra) mother and pups sleeping, Shetland Islands, Scotland Otters can live in most places where there is a rocky shoreline and nearby freshwater, but these tips collated by Joe Gibb – with the help of otter aficionado Roger Cottis – will help give you the greatest chance of spotting an otter in the wild. While river otters mostly live off fish, crayfish and crabs, sea otters have a more interesting method of sustaining themselves. Grogan A., Philcox C. & Macdonald D. (2001) Nature Conservation and Roads: advice in relation to otters. But don't mistakenly call these beasts 'sea otters' – they are still our native otter, and not the different North American sea otter. Oxford University Press, Oxford. However, where there are imperative over-riding reasons for continuing with the work and risking disturbance, provision exists within the licensing system to facilitate this. This is part of the process in determining whether a project can be given consent. CIRIA. In fact, they are now recognised as … Minke and Sei whale have been seen as … The pups are born in the water on a bed of kelp or in the den. Reviewed August 19, 2018 . Commercial eel fishing and ‘creeling’ for crustaceans has also been identified as a threat in some areas. Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers Conservation Technical Series No.5 English Nature, Peterborough. This will protect the shelter during the construction phase and, if necessary, form the basis for the provision of enhanced cover thereafter. In the sea Porpoise are very common with Dolphins visiting too. Otters are legally protected in Scotland by the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.;) Regulations 1994 (as amended) – “the Habitats Regulations”. In the south of Scotland otters regularly travel between the sea and fresh water, however, the further north one goes the more of a marine creature the otter becomes. In the Shetlands, as in the rest of Scotland, most otters live and feed off the sea. All evidence of otter activity should be recorded within this area. Dismiss, They can close their nose and ears when they go underwater, They can hold their breath for up to 4 minutes, They are the only truly semi-aquatic members of the weasel family, They hold hands whilst they sleep in the water to prevent them from drifting apart. If you want to go seal-watching and catch the beautiful creatures in the heart of the sea, then visit our top picks of places where you can go seal-spotting and capture the beauty of the sea. The collective name for a group of otters is a “romp” and in sea otters it is known as a “raft”. 6 guests. Loch Lomond Sea Life Aquarium: Otters - See 1,073 traveler reviews, 495 candid photos, and great deals for Balloch, UK, at Tripadvisor. Further guidance on the above will be available in July. In riverine and other freshwater habitats, both log pile holts and pipe and chamber holts are commonly constructed. With the exception of Shetland, there is no set season in which otters in Scotland give birth. For large extensive developments such as wind farms, the survey will need to include both watercourses and a wider spatial element, to ensure that the positioning of the turbines and associated infrastructure will not interfere with any key features for otters. Our aim is to keep you safe and give you a truly inspirational experience. Where this is not possible, other measures may help to avoid, reduce or offset any impacts. Highways Agency (1998) Design Manual for Roads and Bridges. Sleek, solitary and certainly not to be confused with sea otters that are native to the North Pacific, Scotland’s otter population is positively thriving, with current estimates thought to be around 8,000. At high tide, they are more likely to be resting. The work should be supervised by an appropriate specialist and measures should be taken to ensure that the shelter is unoccupied at the time. There are organised Otter Walks which leave from North Uist's Langass Lodge in summer, so they are certainly 'resident' down that beautiful shoreline. In these habitats, otters are largely (but not exclusively) nocturnal and occupy very large home ranges (around 32 km for males and 20 km for females). Sea otters use rocks to crack open the spiny shells of sea urchins. They young will feed from their mother for about the first 12 months of life. These may be development projects, ranging from a new transport infrastructure to individual house plots. 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