Spring 2002 No. 12

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AUTUMN 2001 RESULTS

This season has been extremely encouraging with the amount of sites checked for otters doubling from 14.6% this time last year to 31.7% !!!!! This is great news but I have to admit I’m a little suspicious! Otters have undoubtedly been increasing, for example the Dorset Otter Group were not finding any signs on the Avon catchment, partially because no one was surveying on the main river. This season Stephen Carroll has found signs on the main river, Clive Martin has found signs on the Sleep Brook tributary and Gail Bennett has found signs on the Ashford Water tributary. However results this year are easier to find in this quarter than if you cast your mind back to September and October in 2000 when everything was underwater! Also I have noticed that some volunteers have been dropping some of their sites, mostly the negative ones. It is quite hard to keep volunteers encouraged in areas where otters are not present such as on the Wey, Corfe and Sherford catchments, but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE stick with it!!! Surveying for only positive signs will give false overall results and an unrealistic picture of the otter recovery! With otters on the increase they could turn up anywhere so be patient!

REMEMBER The Winter Survey Results are due in at the end of February. The Spring survey starts on the 1st March.

DORSET OTTER GROUP SUMMER WALKS

This is an opportunity to receive re-fresher otter-spotting training, meet other volunteers in your area, recruit new members to the Dorset Otter Group, raise funds and have a nice walk! Please note that if you are surveying in one area you can attend a walk in another. There is no charge to go on the walk but a donation box will be present and money raised on the walks will go towards the Dorset Otter Group (please fill in the DOG Members Questionnaire to request what you would like the money to go towards).

West Dorset –Saturday 18th May 10.30-1.00.
Meet at Court Farm Cheddington (grid ref ST 490060) and walk along the River Parret Trail towards South Perrott passing lakes, water vole and otter signs. Led by Mike Lowing.

Southern Dorset –Saturday 29th June 2.00-4.00.
Meet at Dorset Wildlife Trust Tadnoll Reserve entrance (grid ref SY 791876) to look for otter signs and useful habitat for them. Led by Bob Grove.

Central Dorset – Saturday 15th June 10.30-12.30.
Meet by Bembury Field, just outside of Thornford turning down a small road between the school and church (grid ref ST 603136). Walk along the Rivers Yeo and Wriggle to look for signs of otters but also badgers and other mammals. Led by Bronwen Bruce and Cathy Graham.

North/East Dorset – Saturday 11th May 10.30-12.30.
Walk along the Stour at Bryanston School. Park in Safeways, meet at School entrance. Hope to see otter footprints and other river wildlife. Led by Jackie Patterson and Andy Fale.

Poole Harbour – Wednesday 22nd May at 2.00.
A fascinating slide show on otters caught on camera during numerous trips to Scotland. Followed by a guided walk around Brownsea. Meet at Trust Reserve entrance, normal boat fare and landing fees apply. Led by John Lamming.

Bournemouth/Christchurch – Sunday 26th May, 10.00-12.00.
Meet at Bournemouth and West Hants Water Car Park in Mill Lane (grid ref SZ 155938). Walk along Avon Valley Meadows to spot signs of otters and water voles plus see orchids and other wetland specialities. Led by Stephen Caroll.