Welcome to the ninth DOG Bulletin. There are a few
changes in how the Otter Group operates detailed below, and hopefully
you will be tempted by the events/courses on offer.
Dorset Otter Group Funding
Currently, funding for my time supporting DOG and the group’s
administration is covered by the Rivers & Wetlands project at
Dorset Wildlife Trust, which in turn is supported by Wessex Water,
the Environment Agency and several Charitable Trusts. However, the
future of this funding is looking rather uncertain at the moment,
and so the DOG Committee are looking into how the group can be supported
in the future. As an interim measure, the Committee have decided
that we will have to make a small charge for some of our activities
such as Otter Spotting training.
EVENT: Otter, Mink and Water Vole Survey of the Rivers
Wey and Jordan
Saturday 12th May 9.30 am – 4 pm This event is FREE.
Staff from the Sealife Centre and RSPB will be joining
us at this event. The aim of the day is to get a baseline survey
carried out, and then to set up longer term monitoring of the area.
The event is suitable for any group member as full training will
be given. Please get in touch with Rachel to book a place asap as
spaces are limited (preference will be given to people living in
the Weymouth and Dorchester areas).
EVENT: New Otter Spotting Training
Saturday 7th July 10.30am – 3.30pm DWT, Brooklands Farm
Approximately 40 of you are marked on my database as still
wanting to be trained as a surveyor, so I am running a training
day in July. The course covers otter ecology and how the surveying
system works, and then we have a practical session near Dorchester
looking for otter signs. Cost £10 (£5 unwaged). Get
in touch with Rachel asap to book a place (cheques to be made payable
to Dorset Wildlife Trust).
EVENT: Aquatic Plants ID - New Naturalist Course
Saturday 19th May 11am - 2.30pm Tadnoll & Winfrith Reserve GR
SY793875
Spaces still available. Cost £10. Call DWT 01305
264620 to book a place.
EVENT: Aquatic Animals ID – New Naturalist Course
Saturday 7th July 10.30am – 3pm Kilwood Nature Reserve GR
SY 937827
Spaces still available. Cost £10. Call DWT 01305
264620 to book a place
Otter Deaths in Dorset Summary from 2006
The Environment Agency has provided us with this data.
16 otter deaths were confirmed (compared with 11 in 2005, 9 in 2004).
These were spread fairly evenly throughout the year. 12 were confirmed
Road Traffic Accidents, 1 due to Septicaemia, 1 due to drowning
(an otter cub trapped amongst two discarded bicycles in the river
at Gillingham) and 2 causes of death not known. 3 of the 16 were
males, 7 were females and the other unknown. There was one definite
and one probable case of bile fluke. There were bite marks on the
majority of otter corpses, including females. Two females had young
cubs, which probably did not survive. The majority of the casualties
were from the Stour (8). Others were from the Avon (2), Piddle (1),
Frome (3) and Sherford (2).
Contact for DOG matters: Rachel Janes (Rivers
& Wetlands Conservation Officer) on 01305 264620 or email rjanes@dorsetwildlife.co.uk
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