Otters once a near mythical sighting has become increasingly common in the last few years, in fact I heard someone recently describe them as “ubiquitous”.
The island is a classic example of this before August 2010 the total number of sightings on Havergate sat at zero. Admittedly, there has been some very strong evidence to support there presence on the island, scats on the sea wall and tracks in the mud. However, since August 2010 there have been 3 actual sightings on the island.
The sudden explosion in sightings on the island can most likely be attributed to a wandering juvenile. Once the young pups mature and are completely weaned, normally after a year the young venture out to find there own territory. Otters are fiercely territorial and will chase their own young away to defend there territory. Interestingly, Otters are not seasonal breeders so will reproduce at any time of the year.
It’s not just on Havergate that the sightings have gone through the roof. Both Boyton and Hollesley Marshes have recorded their first ever Otters in the last 2 months, surely, the same individual?
Let’s hope it is, it would be nice to have a territorial Otter around the island and the other reserves.
Otter at Boyton Marshes, courtesy of Chris Upson
The sad thing is that I haven’t seen one on the island yet, three sightings and the closest I have gotten is being on the island whilst it was being seen but the wrong end of the island and completely oblivious. The other two I wasn’t even there! If any one is out on Havergate and gets a glimpse of one, try and take a picture that’s the next great step.
However, despite the return of the Otter to the UK, it is still classed as near threatened by the IUCN red data list, meaning it is considered as a species that could be threatened with extinction in the future. We in the UK must remain protective of our Otters and hope that EU legislation protects rivers and watercourses across the whole of Europe.
Beyond Otters, we’ve had nothing as exciting as Rough Legged Buzzards or Bonxies but it’s still a tremendous time to come and see Havergate. Winter is probably the best time on the island for sheer number and diversity of birds. Teal and Wigeon are now in there thousands, Avocets are still present in force (Havergate is probably the best place to see Avocets in the East of England now), a Spotted Redshank maybe two look settled for the winter and a Kingfisher, Pintail, Dunlin, Lapwing, Curlew and Black tailed Godwits are all resident, with Marsh Harriers, Kestrels and Peregrines almost daily records. I don’t think there is a greater sight than 700 Avocets being spooked by a bird of prey before settling to land again.
One last thing lets hear it for a very brave juvenile Spoonbill. Which has smashed the latest ever record for Spoonbill on Havergate by a whole month!? For a bird that should be in West Africa or Southern Europe by now it’s a controversial choice.