Winter 2002 No. 15

Page 3

At the beginning of the new year and in the midst of another monitoring season this is perhaps an appropriate time to look back on what we have achieved. Speaking to John Stobart recently, to whom by the way we should all be grateful for setting the Dorset Otter Group on such a firm foundation, he reminded me that, apart from one or two rare species of bat and the red squirrels holding out on their island stronghold of Brownsea, there are no other mammals in Dorset that we have such a clear and detailed record of their current distribution.

This is entirely due to the efforts of numerous dedicated volunteers who have gone out in all weathers and all conditions – and perhaps in particular those who have yet to find a single spraint in their area – your day will come. I think we all deserve to give ourselves a pat on the back, and if, like me, you can’t reach – ask a friend.

You may sometimes wonder what the dots on the map really mean. I have never seen an otter but every time I find a spraint or a track in the mud it is a clear message to me that a wild beautiful animal, which in out ignorance we almost managed to relegate to the pages of history, is out there somewhere, alive and well, still following the journey it began thousands of years ago.

I am sure that you will join me in thanking our sponsors: The Dorset Wildlife Trust, The Environment Agency, Bournemouth & West Hampshire Water and Pennon Group Plc for their support in financial and other ways, with particular thanks to Bronwen for all the effort she has put into co-ordinating the work of the group.

Peter Irvine

Front cover picture: Road sign at Kirkwall, The Orkneys. Photo credit: Hamish Irvine.