2012 - The great Flood, What a Washout!

The majority of last year was a disaster in terms of Otter Watching. At least it was down here in hampshire. The water levels were so high in our local rivers that the usual tracks and signs one might expect to see on a regular basic just weren't there. The rain fell almost constantly which mean't that any signs were simple washed away.

Otters are very mobile creatures and I guess they made the most out of the ever changing conditions but it really wasn't until winter when a few obvious signs returned. Snow is great because all that nighttime activity which usually goes unnoticed is writ large on the ground for all to see. Of course you have to get up ready early before its all brushed away by other people or their dogs.

Otters appear to enjoy jumping and rolling about in
the snow. Here you can clearly see how the otter has
bounded along and rolled about prior to jumping back
into the river to the top of the frame.

Really clear set of distinctive otter tracks along a path previously devoid
of all traces of Otter activity.