The Trust is challenging members of the public to spot otters at its Falls of Clyde Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve. Recently, the number of otter sightings on the reserve has increased, and the Trust wants members of the public to take the opportunity to see these playful creatures in their natural habitat.
So people can recognise the common signs of otters, the staff at Falls of Clyde have made an ‘otter spotting checklist’.
- Listen out for cubs calling out to their mothers for food – this has been likened to a squeaky bike wheel. They will often be at the bank-side while their mother fishes.
- Look for five-toed footprints roughly five to six centimetres long.
- Keep your eyes (and noses) open for otter droppings – known as ‘spraints’. These are usually left in prominent places as scented messages. They usually contain fish bones and smell similar to jasmine tea.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust Falls of Clyde Ranger, Laura Preston, said: “The European otter is one of Scotland’s most iconic species and one of Scottish Natural Heritage’s ‘Big Five’, alongside the harbour seal, red squirrel, golden eagle and red deer. Thanks to decades of conservation and better legislation, this playful mammal can be seen in rivers, streams and marshes across Scotland.
“The Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Falls of Clyde Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve is a great place to see otters and this year we have being seeing them more than ever. We would urge people to take the opportunity to come and out and see them while they are so active.”