Spring 2002 No. 12

Page 5

Otter Poo, Sheep Tracks and Flapjacks

Last autumn I was invited by Jane McCarthy to take some of the pupils from Knighton House School at Durweston on a walk along the Stour in search of otter tracks. Jane organises an enthusiastic wildlife club at the school and Bronwen had already paid them a visit to talk about otters. With the kind permission of Mr Hosford, the local landowner, and accompanied by a teacher and several parents we spent a very pleasant afternoon strolling along the river bank. Some of the pupils have sent me their account of the walk…

One mild autumn day last year Peter Irvine came to Knighton House school to take us otter tracking on the banks of the River Stour which is just opposite our school down the drive. Before we set off he showed us a map of the Stour and how it used to look over 100 years ago. He also showed us a map of Europe showing where otters lived. He disappointed us by saying that we wouldn’t see any otters because they are shy but he showed us some otter poo/spraint, which smelt remarkably nice. On some spraints you could see fish scales and bones.

We started walking down the drive and into the field where sheep were grazing. Peter told us the otters would like this part of the river because there were good places for them to slide down the banks and places where they could lie in the sun and make their homes. He pointed out that it would be difficult for humans to get down to the water’s edge on the other side. So, despite the rumble of traffic, it was peaceful and safe for otters. He also pointed out spots where otters would poo – they choose noticeable places.

Although we didn’t see any otters it was very interesting and you could believe that an otter had been there sunbathing ten minutes earlier. Before we walked back Peter showed us how to make a plaster cast of a paw print. Unfortunately we didn’t find any otter tracks but we made do with a sheep hoof print.

As we were walking back to Knighton we noticed that there were grey clouds coming in and we had just missed them. We were very glad to get back and have some hot chocolate and cake.

Molly McCarthy-Curless (age 11)

Oh how they glide and glide
To the River Stour where they hide
Their little ears and their chestnut eyes –
      swim through the water to get some flies.
Ending with food which fill their tummies
Rushing to the spot where it is sunny
Sitting on the bank by the water –
    watching the fish before the slaughter.

Rebecca Sutton (age 10)

At 1.30 pm on Saturday afternoon the wildlife club set off down to the River Stour. In search for some otters, or if not some otter tracks. We were first shown some otter droppings. This showed us what otters ate e.g. fish because you could see the scales in the droppings.

We were told about how otters lived and what otters looked like. We then went down the riverbed to find some animal tracks, but not otters! The man made a cast anyway to show us how to do it. After this we returned home to Knighton for a drink and biscuit after a wonderful afternoon searching for otters.

Emma Sutton (age12)

Picture by Tatiana Elwes (age 10)

Thanks to Mr Hosford and to Jane Mccarthy and the girls for their company and hospitality (I still remember the hot chocolate, delicious cakes and flap jacks which were waiting for us at the school after our walk!). Jane and Bronwen have now discussed the possibility of constructing a log pile holt with the help of members of the wildlife club and other volunteers. I am looking forward to taking part in this project, particularly if there is the prospect of more flapjacks!

Peter Irvine