FREEZING temperatures and snow have brought a surprise visitor to Warrington – an otter.
Unusual tracks found in the snow at the Rixton Clay Pits nature reserve have been confirmed as those of an otter.
It is the first indication that otters might be making a come-back in the borough for many years.
Glen Vaudrey, a regular visitor to the clay pits – a site of special scientific interest – came across the tracks in the snow.
He later showed pictures of the tracks to rangers who confirmed they were otter tracks.
Mik Lees, a ranger at Rixton Clay Pits, said: “We were very surprised with this sighting, but it is not unusual for otters to move over large distances in search for food and the river Mersey is quite nearby. We have no records of them using the clay pits before but as they can be very shy animals which are usually only active at night so they could easily go unnoticed.”
The fifth National Otter Survey carried out by the Environment Agency showed recently that otters have made something of a come-back in the UK, but they are still a protected species and have a UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) to help improve feeding opportunities and otter habitat because their numbers dipped dangerously low at one time.
While the report shows an increase nationally it is the first indication they could be in Warrington for many years.
The Environment Agency suggests improved water quality is one of the reasons for the increase and the national survey involved looking for signs of the animal rather than the illusive otters themselves.
Anyone who thinks they have seen an otter in the Warrington area can record the sighting with rECOrd the local environmental records centre covering Warrington online at www.record-lrc.co.uk or email the borough council’s natural environment officer at [email protected]
Pictured: the tell-tale tracks in the snow
