Sun 10th Dec: Brig O’Waithe, Stennesss
Heading north out of Stromness to have a text come through saying there was 5 otters at the Brig O’Waithe. That’s right five! Called for a quick turn around. As we pulled up a quick scan revealed that they were on the island (downstream side of the bridge) What we took to be a dog otter and presumably a mother and 3 fairly big cubs. The cubs were curled up asleep on the island, but not for long. Two jumped into the water and started to play while the adults were fishing nearby. The one cub that was left on the island woke up and started squeaking. But before long the others came back and the cubs played on and around the island. What a sight! I’d never seen that many otters together at once. A few more people turned up for the show and the otters knew we were all there but it didn’t seem to faze them, with only a glance towards us every now and again.
Mon 11th Dec: Onziebust RSPB reserve on Egilsay
A nice sunny calm day, not really a familiar aspect of Orkney life. But a perfect day to complete a WeBs (wetland birds) survey. Ringed Plover and Sanderling were running along the beach while a flock of golden plover called overhead. An array of wildfowl; goldeneye, tufted duck, shoveler, with wigeon and teal calling in the shallows. And a few red throated divers further out. Scanning with a scope I notice a herring gull standing up on a rock and a slight movement below. Is that what I think it is? I thought. The head appears. Yes, an otter! In the process of finishing off its lunch. Sneaking closer for a better view it carried on munching. It then slipped into the water behind the rock, and popped out in amongst the seaweed looking straight at me. But after a few moments it went back to searching for its next meal and carried on up the coast.
Tues 12th Dec: Onziebust RSPB reserve on Egilsay
Not quite 3 for 3 but fairly close. A number of prints from an otter wandering around on the beach before finally disappearing into the surf.
Thurs 14th Dec: Brig O Waithe, Stenness & Brodgar RSPB reserve
A staff Christmas walk around Brodgar with a quick stop off at the Brig O’ Waithe just in case…and as luck would have it 3 right beside the bridge. In and out the water with a heron turning up to see what all the fuss was about and looking to pinch an easy meal. With them heading under the bridge I walked up and peeked over. Seeing them swim under the water then popping up was fantastic. But after a few clicks of the camera I was clocked and they disappeared back under the bridge.
But our luck didn’t stop there. While walking round Brodgar, a shout came out from Sarah “what was that?” A dog otter was swimming 20m away and heading towards one of the little islands. Out it came with a fish in its mouth. It sat there chomping on the fish while the 10 of us watched in amazement. We couldn’t have asked for a better outing!
The sightings around Brodgar of a lone male over the last month and the regular sightings of up to five otters (possibly two family groups) at Brig O’Waithe over the past month means now is one of your best opportunities of catching up with these elusive mammals on Orkney. There is limited car parking available at Brig O’Waithe and there is plenty of other wildlife to enjoy if the otters are not showing with; little grebes, curlews, common seals, stonechat & red-breasted mergansers amongst the supporting cast.
If sightings continue into January with the same regularity we may have a pop up event to show people the otters with binoculars and telescopes. We will advertise shortly beforehand.
On behalf of the RSPB Orkney team we wish you a Merry Christmas and a wildlife filled happy New Year in 2018.