Large stones have been placed at the water’s edge near the entrance in the hope that otter will take the opportunity to use them as sprainting sites (spots where they mark their territory using faecal deposits). Licensed activity in this situation In order for it to be a success mitigation needs to be very well designed, implemented and maintained. Working in conjunction with Hanson Aggregates Ltd and the RSPB, BSG Ecology staff have created an otter holt at a gravel pit in Oxfordshire. 29 September 2011 | Posted in Community , Gatwick Greenspace , Volunteering Author Kevin Lerwill. Artificial holts must have two or three entrances below, at or above water level. Arbeco » Habitat Services » Artificial Otter Holt Creation. Volunteers installed. Following conservation efforts and legislation including restrictions on certain chemical pesticides and fertilisers, populations of otters are now making a slow recovery throughout th… The holt should be built as close to the river as possible, with a pipe entrance leading to the water’s edge if necessary, and where there will be little human disturbance. Whether you simply require an assessment of a river or lake for potential impacts of development, assessment of a tree for potential otter issues, a full and detailed survey for otters, or advice on suitable mitigations, we can help you, anywhere in the UK. The ... destruction of an otter holt while being used for breeding. ... Otters were first recorded to be near one of the holts a year after the holt was built in December 2017. Wild Service meet all these criteria and more. The holt has both a front and rear entrance hole and an internal chamber 600mm x 600mm. 54+64. The site has been chosen by the RSPB as a Nature After Minerals case study site, and is in the process of restoration. Carefully sited and constructed artificial holts may encourage otters to recolonise and breed along stretches of waterways from which they are at present absent or re-locate otters where there is a threat as a consequence of development. Large logs should be used for the base, which will form a series of chambers, thinner logs can be used to roof the chambers and debris piled on top to make the structure waterproof. Web design by Yu Sheng & Yu Siang. The proposed road is close to … Rare otters using artificial shelter. otter / Stephen Bray. Some vegetation cover should be present surrounding the holt. The Otter (Lutra lutra) is a semi-aquatic mammal. W e have experience in the design and delivery of mitigation projects across some of the most challenging sites in the UK. Full details of the project are available below. 4. Three Shires has constructed artificial otter holts on many construction schemes, most recently installing 2 new holts for Staffordshire Alliance as part of their Norton Bridge project. Leaflet (pdf and hard copy) now available to showcase WLFA part 1. The reduction of natural materials available for otter holt building in some areas has led to conservationists installing artificial otter holts on some sites. They are built where there is minimal disturbance from humans and their dogs. Mayor of Broxtowe presented prize. If the destruction of an otter holt or potential otter holt is necessary, it must be carried out when the otters are not present. As throughout much of Europe, the wildlife in and around the canal has suffered in the past through poor water quality. Corrugated tin or polythene of bigger dimensions than the roof is often placed over the chamber to ensure that it keeps dry in the wettest weather. Oxfordshire Gravel Pit: Otter Survey and Enhancement Works, For more information about Nature After Minerals (an RSPB/Natural England partnership), please click on the following link: https://afterminerals.com/, Spatial Analysis and Mapping (GIS) Service, Greening and Urban Regeneration: vital for Wellbeing and Connection with Nature, Sharing Learning and Good Practice: Arup and BSG collaborate to Provide Staff Training, Sharing Good Practice: Implications of Wildlife Legislation for Development, Motion-activated Camera Footage of Bechstein’s Bat. However, it is acknowledged that constructing artificial holts in appropriate locations remains an activity supported by … Found: 2 result(s) matching your search criteria (0.1297 seconds) Sort By: Price Price Name Name . A simple artificial holt can be made using log piles. Otters (or least an otter), have taken up residence in an artificial holt built close to the Coalisland Canal. No above ground entrance should be too high above the water level, they should be about 20cm across, and flush with the bank. Unlike the palatial otter stately home we bui… Flat Pack Otter Holt Kit Black 1200 x 830 x 380. Construction work will also result in the removal of an area of riparian habitat which will be replaced by new planting within the area. Materials: A simple artificial holt can be made using log piles. Design the development and construction methods to avoid damage or disturbance to ... Construct artificial holts to replace any natural holts that have to be destroyed. Provision of an artificial replacement holt is proposed to offset the loss of the natural holt and provide otters with long-term alternative accommodation at the site. Arbeco can competently construct artificial holts to enhance river banks for this European Protected Species. The otter suffered a dramatic decline in numbers during the middle of the 20th Century, which was attributed to pollution and habitat loss. These elusive and secretive animals can be found on coasts and estuaries and in fresh water habitats with suitable cover. Working in conjunction with Hanson Aggregates Ltd and the RSPB, BSG Ecology staff have created an otter holt at a gravel pit in Oxfordshire. It is an offence to kill, injure or knowingly disturb an otter, damage or obstruct an otter holt. The chamber roof is usually covered with soil. Amendments introduced The next step will be to plant blackthorn and/or willow saplings around the holt to conceal it and ensure there is minimum disturbance. It is a large member of the weasel family. Blackbridge Proposed New Road: Otter Surveys & Mitigation Report 3. Diverse Internet. Branding. While this may appear small, research has confirmed that female otters prefer a confined space in which to rear their young. WATER COURSES FOR WATER VOLE Creating new water vole habitat can be expensive, and is notoriously time consuming. Site Design & Development:
£275.40 inc VAT-+ Add to Basket. This will give us an indication as to whether the holt is being used by otter. Otters tend to deter mink. Legal protection for otters Otters are classed as European Protected Species (EPS) under the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended). Exclusion zone to be made around the old footbridge area at the 54+North end of the site and the construction and maintenance of an artificial Otter Holt to be … In the wild otters will use piles of various sizes from structures as large as 40m long, 10m wide and 4m high to small features of 5m x 3m x 4m. We will learn how otters build their homes and collaborate to make one in the gallery from wood, branches and piping. The construction of artificial dens may serve a similar purpose and there is evidence that these are readily used by otters. However, it’s easy to confuse mink with otters so make sure you know the difference. We can advise on working methods and locations to minimise disturbance to otters. This was a wooden structure which incorporated two internal chambers, two exits and which was subject to water-proofing using brash wood. The site has been chosen by the RSPB as a Nature After Minerals case study site, and is in the process of restoration. Remove from Basket Added to Basket. The European otter has been here for millions of years; it is a member of the Mustelid family, which also includes the badger, mink, weasels, stoats, martens and polecats, and is the only truly semi-aquatic member of the weasel family. The 28 brush bundles that were constructed were placed with this in mind; to enhance awareness of the project and its aims along with providing potential resting sites for otters in the area. However, in latter years, improved water quality has seen a return of many aquatic species, including the otter. Materials used for their creation depend on what is available, the cost, riverside accessibility, etc. Provide otter holts. Winning pupil from William Lilley Infant and Junior School in Stapleford. Chanin (2013) stated that artificial otter holts are more suited to raising awareness among landowners than providing resting places for otters. Artificial otter holt. We also intend to deploy a motion activated infra-red camera as reported in April 2012 to monitor otter use. In the wild otters will use piles of various sizes from structures as large as 40m long, 10m wide and 4m high to small features of 5m x 3m x 4m. Breezeblocks or unmortared bricks and paving stones can be used for the walls and roof of the chamber, and wood is a suitable alternative, providing the site is on dry soil. We can provide you with a full range of otter related products and services, including otter surveys and artificial otter holts. Apr 12, 2016 - Sunrise: 06.35 Sunset: 06.04 Mike Averill and I started a new otter holt project yesterday afternoon, at the junction of Hoo Brook and the River Stour. Otters can be found in all types of wetland habitats, including rivers, streams, marshes, ditches and lakes, as well as coastal areas and their large home ranges may incorporate a variety of habitat types. The average otter is 1–1.3 metres in length, and weighs up to 9kg. In the wild otters will use piles of various sizes from structures as large as 40m long, 10m wide and 4m high to small features of 5m x 3m x 4m. A simple artificial holt can be made using log piles. Cowell et al. It lives in a ‘holt’, often among the roots of a riverside tree. Any licence application will require a species protection plan with detailed mitigation proposals which may include measures such as the supervision of nearby works, the erection of exclusion fencing, and in some cases the construction of an artificial otter holt. 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