Otters

During the 1950’s and 1960’s otters were virtually wiped out in many areas of the UK. This huge decline was largely due to pollution from pesticides and habitat loss caused by the expansion of agriculture and industry. Over the last 20 years, the otter has been making a steady recovery aided by re-introductions and habitat restoration schemes and improvements in water quality.

Otters can be present in all types of wetland including rivers, streams, lakes, marshes and ditches as well as coastal areas. Otters are cautious animals, largely nocturnal in England, and so are rarely seen. An otter’s home range is large (with males covering up to 40km of river bank) and can include a wide range of habitats. During the day, otters use refuges such as hollow trees or dense vegetation as lying-up places. Holes under tree roots along river banks and cavities under bridges are frequently used as more permanent resting places. These are known as ‘holts’. Breeding can take place at any time of year.

Legal Protection and UK BAP Status

Otters are fully protected by the following legislation:

• The Conservation (Habitats & c.) Regulations 1994;
• The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended (WCA);
• The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW).

The otter is a priority species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. It is also considered to be a Species of Principal Importance for the Conservation of Biodiversity in England under Section 74 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

Greenprint Ecology services related to otters

  • Full otter surveys to ascertain presence/absence and distribution; 
  • Where appropriate, otter mitigation work such as construction of artificial holts;
  • Where appropriate, habitat improvement/restoration;
  • Advice concerning all aspects of otter presence.

otter habitat

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