The map above was produced as part of the school Pooh map competition with FLEWG
JUNE 2019 STARLIT SKIES CONFERENCE BATH
OCTOBER 2017 OTTER POTTER
On a sunny Sunday afternoon in early October a group of villagers walk alongside the river Frome led by Anthony House who is one of a number of enthusiasts giving his time to the Somerset Otter Group. Otters have been seen in the rivers here hence the otter on our FLEWG logo! Gez Rideout was fishing the Avon this summer in Limpley Stoke and saw an otter which then dived under the water to go past him. Likewise otters have been seen at Freshford, as well as upstream right in the town of Frome.
The walk helped us understand signs of otter activity. These include:
Spraint (i.e. otter poo) which is often deposited on prominent features near water, i.e. rocks, fallen trees, bridge supports and storm drains. Here the deposits act as scent markers to other otters and are used to define territories. Given their vicinity to water, spraints are prone to washing away during bouts of bad weather and therefore it should not always be assumed that the absence of samples indicates a lack of otters in an area.
Prey remains should be clearly visible in the spraint sample with fish bones and scales usually the most prominent. Crayfish remains may also feature heavily in areas where they persist. The invasive American crayfish tend to turn the spraint more toward red in colour. An array of other items can be visible including the bones of amphibians, fur, feather fragments and insect remains. Providing the sample spraint sample is fresh, all of these should be bound together with a tarry black mucus although as time progresses and the spraint dries out it takes on a much paler, almost grey colouration and a more crumbly texture. Finally, smell is often a good indicator that you a dealing with an otter spraint as opposed to other creatures such as Mink. When fresh, otter spraint omits a distinct sweet odour that is not at all unpleasant .. it has even been compared to a cross between lavender and fresh fish…how lovely!
Anal jelly which is thought to be the mucus lining of the gut which protects from all the sharp fish bones consumed by the otter and often varies in colour from pale brown to green and in some cases amber.
Otter tracks may be seen in soft mud.
Even a vibrant tump of grass right by the river can indicate where otter activity has fertilised the river bank.
Using this type of evidence the Somerset Otter Group has charted their remarkable come-back in our region since the dire low point in the early 1970’s when they were nearly extinct. If you wish to assist they are looking to train a volunteer for our area.
The Environment agency has carried out it’s own regular national surveys and conclude that recovery has been in response to three main factors: The ban on pesticides that caused extinction of otters from many parts of England in the 1960s and early 1970s, Legal protection for the otter since 1978, and Significant improvement in water quality in previously fish less rivers since the 1970s.
Re-introduction programmes of captive bred and re-habilitated otters have probably speeded up the recovery in East Anglia, Yorkshire and the upper Thames. The majority of the recovery has however been the result of natural expansion from the remnant populations. The prospects are for full recovery across England within the next two decades or so.
There is a concern that growing otter numbers will diminish fish stocks. Analysis of this debate is set forth in the pdf download booklet “Otters in Somerset - A factual guide for anglers and pond owners” by The wildlife Trusts is available as a pdf download http://www.somersetottergroup.org.uk
The walk helped us understand signs of otter activity. These include:
Spraint (i.e. otter poo) which is often deposited on prominent features near water, i.e. rocks, fallen trees, bridge supports and storm drains. Here the deposits act as scent markers to other otters and are used to define territories. Given their vicinity to water, spraints are prone to washing away during bouts of bad weather and therefore it should not always be assumed that the absence of samples indicates a lack of otters in an area.
Prey remains should be clearly visible in the spraint sample with fish bones and scales usually the most prominent. Crayfish remains may also feature heavily in areas where they persist. The invasive American crayfish tend to turn the spraint more toward red in colour. An array of other items can be visible including the bones of amphibians, fur, feather fragments and insect remains. Providing the sample spraint sample is fresh, all of these should be bound together with a tarry black mucus although as time progresses and the spraint dries out it takes on a much paler, almost grey colouration and a more crumbly texture. Finally, smell is often a good indicator that you a dealing with an otter spraint as opposed to other creatures such as Mink. When fresh, otter spraint omits a distinct sweet odour that is not at all unpleasant .. it has even been compared to a cross between lavender and fresh fish…how lovely!
Anal jelly which is thought to be the mucus lining of the gut which protects from all the sharp fish bones consumed by the otter and often varies in colour from pale brown to green and in some cases amber.
Otter tracks may be seen in soft mud.
Even a vibrant tump of grass right by the river can indicate where otter activity has fertilised the river bank.
Using this type of evidence the Somerset Otter Group has charted their remarkable come-back in our region since the dire low point in the early 1970’s when they were nearly extinct. If you wish to assist they are looking to train a volunteer for our area.
The Environment agency has carried out it’s own regular national surveys and conclude that recovery has been in response to three main factors: The ban on pesticides that caused extinction of otters from many parts of England in the 1960s and early 1970s, Legal protection for the otter since 1978, and Significant improvement in water quality in previously fish less rivers since the 1970s.
Re-introduction programmes of captive bred and re-habilitated otters have probably speeded up the recovery in East Anglia, Yorkshire and the upper Thames. The majority of the recovery has however been the result of natural expansion from the remnant populations. The prospects are for full recovery across England within the next two decades or so.
There is a concern that growing otter numbers will diminish fish stocks. Analysis of this debate is set forth in the pdf download booklet “Otters in Somerset - A factual guide for anglers and pond owners” by The wildlife Trusts is available as a pdf download http://www.somersetottergroup.org.uk
RAGWORT CLEARANCE - this plant not good for livestock.
Below are a coupe of gems seen viewed in the field as we worked - the Woolly Thistle and the Pyramid Orchid
May 2017
HEDGEHOG AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
Hedgehog Day keeps recuring through the week!
Preschool, Brownies, and Dr Ben Williams explains hedgehog survival analysis at the school - SEE MORE DETAILS ON OUR HEDGEHOG PAGE HERE
HEDGEHOG AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
Hedgehog Day keeps recuring through the week!
Preschool, Brownies, and Dr Ben Williams explains hedgehog survival analysis at the school - SEE MORE DETAILS ON OUR HEDGEHOG PAGE HERE
May 2017 Seven inspirational local landowners now join our wildflower meadows journey in partnership with CAONB and the Magnificent Meadows programme
Walk in the Galleries field at the invitation of Stephen and Gitte to view orchids and other wildflowers. 25th June 2016