SUMMER 2003 No. 17

Page 4

Otter Survey at Christchurch Harbour

My name is Jason Fathers, I am at present still an undergraduate in Wildlife Management having just finished a degree (Sparsholt College) and awaiting my results, will know what I have got in a few days…argh!

As part of my degree I went out on work placements for one month in each year to gain experience in the work environment. For my final year I chose to work with the Dorset Wildlife Trust (my local trust)…they had no problem finding mini assignments to keep me busy. Amongst other projects Bronwen Bruce asked if I would carry out a thorough survey for the presence of otters in Christchurch Harbour and then write a report on my findings. As my family home is in Bournemouth I was pleased to work on a local project. Besides, I am predominantly a birder so working on a different species group was good. Bronwen gave me the necessary training around Kingston Maurward College and concluded I was up to the job so off I went, waders, life jacket and note pad in hand (binoculars just in case).

The objective was to survey all edge habitats looking for prints and spraints. Wardens on both sides of the harbour were helpful in pointing out places where otters had sprainted in the past.

Blessed with the fine weather we had in early March I spent three days meticulously searching shorelines and some of the accessible streams and channels within the harbour.

Much of the harbour was very difficult to survey due to the sea of dog prints. Nonetheless my findings were very encouraging. I found recent otter spraint and prints in several places spread across the harbour suggesting otters are making good use of the varied habitat types around the harbour.

It seems the meeting point of the Stour and Avon is a favoured spot as well as some areas of Stanpit Marsh though I am sure the otters are using far more of the harbour undetected.

It is encouraging to find that otters are regularly using the harbour but also to see that they seem to be getting along in a highly populated semi-urban environment. I thoroughly enjoyed doing the survey, it was good experience and I promise I didn’t do too much birding Bronwen (just a little, in my lunch breaks of course).

Jason Fathers