Poo!

Not ordinary poo, though – not donkey, or sheep nor rabbit but otter!

Typically left in a noticeable position as a territory marker, or an attractant to a mate (note to self, don’t try this at home Harry), we occasionally come across the spraints and this is a spectacular example (didn’t have anything on me to insert for scale, but this is approx. 3″ long).  We know otters are here, because of the fish head we discovered by our pond, and also anecdotally by one local angler who (not exactly in accordance with regulations) was fishing and being watched from the centre of the river by one!

This is their typical hunting area and we have seen them occasionally hunting fish along these rivulets.  The dogs also pick up their scents

and love ferreting (literally) amongst the grasses, weeds and shingle.  Bear in mind also that in a flood, the roof of the river is approximately five feet above out heads here!