Otter Surveys

Otter

Otter Lutra lutra are protected as European Protected Species under the European Habitats Directive and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

All otters are therefore protected, making it an offence to:

Intentionally or deliberately capture, kill or injure
Damage or destroy an otter breeding site / resting place
Possess, control or transport them
Intentionally or recklessly damage, destroy, and disturb them in a place used for shelter, or obstruct access

Otter can be affected by a range of situations including:

The best time of year to conduct surveys can be found in our ecology calendar.

If your Preliminary Ecological Appraisal has highlighted concerns about otters within your site - you may need the surveys listed down below:

Adonis Blue will work with you to carry out the necessary surveys for your site.

Here are the main types of otter surveys used in development contexts:

Habitat Suitability

Purpose: To determine the habitat suitability for otters
Method: Recording and mapping key features such as footprints, droppings, feeding remains, muddy slides, holts and resting areas
Timings: All year round
Number of surveys: One visit

Shelter identification

Purpose: To determine what species are using the shelter, if otters are present it will confirm presence and levels of use. This will also inform the mitigation licence
Method: Camera traps are set up near the shelter on a stick to record otters entering and leaving the shelter
Timings: All year round
Number of surveys: Camera traps will be set up for 3-4 weeks continuously and checked throughout

To obtain a otter licence for development, you need to apply for a otter mitigation licence from the relevant statutory nature conservation body.

This licence is legally required if your development will disturb otter or damage/destroy a known shelter.

Our team can help you secure a otter migration licence and ensure all necessary mitigation is done.