Otter LBAP

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	WELCOME TO CHESHIRE BIODIVERSITY PART OF THE CHESHIRE REGION BIODIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP

OTTER (LUTRA LUTRA)
LOCAL BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN

Species Ecology

Appearance
The otter is a long slender bodied mammal with brown fur, which is quite often pale on the underside. The head to body length can be up to 120cm. The tail makes up approximately a third of the body length. Otters have small ears and webbed feet. To compensate for the lack of a fat layer they have a double layer of fur to trap air and keep them warm in the water. The average weight for males is 10.1kg, and around 7kg for females.

Habitat
Otters may inhabit any unpolluted body of freshwater, including lakes, streams, rivers, and ponds, as long as there is good supply of food. Otters may also live along the coast, in salt water, but require regular access to freshwater to clean their fur.

Food
An otter's diet mainly consists of fish but can also include birds, insects, frogs, crustaceans and sometimes small mammals.

Links to associated HAPs

Ponds, Coastal and Floodplain and Grazing Marsh, Reedbeds

Current Status

The otter is listed on Annexes II and V of the EC Habitats Directive (EC/92/43), Annexe II of the Bern Convention and Appendix I of CITES and is classified by the IUCN as 'vulnerable'. The otter is also listed under two schedules of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Schedules 5 & 6.
The otter is short-listed on the UK Steering Group Report, Volume 1 (1995) and as such the report contains a costed Biodiversity Action Plan for the otter. A national Otter BAP Steering Group has been set up which meets regularly and is led by a partnership between the Wildlife Trusts and the Environment Agency.

The fourth National Otter Survey of England was conducted between January 2000 and February 2002. The results of this survey were published in 2003 and show that otters are becoming more widespread in the rivers of England. The survey found positive signs of otters at 55% more sites than in the 1994 survey. In fact, in every one of the 12 regions and catchments areas surveyed, there was an increase in the number of sites where the signs of otters were detected, representing a 527% increase since 1979.

The scale of the increase varies from area to area and at the time of this national survey, otters still only occupied one third of the areas that could support a population. The survey has shown that in favourable conditions, such as cleaner rivers and waterways, greater fish stocks, sympathetic wetland and riverside management and the creation of new bankside habitat, a healthy breeding population can recolonise large areas relatively quickly.

Joining up populations via the network of waterways is going to be crucial to the future increase of otter populations. The key areas are river catchments in North Shropshire, South Cheshire and the Lower Severn as they provide links from strong populations in Wales to areas where colonisation has been slow in the past.

Why is there concern about otters in the Cheshire region?

As indicated by the results of the fourth national survey, otters have shown a dramatic recovery in some areas of the country. This is a great conservation success story, however the Cheshire otters have not shown the same increase in numbers. They are here but with the wealth of waterways and water bodies in the county, the population is still lower than would be expected.

Threats

Lack of suitable lying up sites such as hollows in large riverside tree roots, scrub patches, reedbeds etc
Loss of wetlands within the floodplain
Lack of large undisturbed areas suitable for breeding
Lack of sustainable fish stocks limiting food availability to otters
Accidental mortality, e.g. road casualties
Non-installation of otter guards on eel fyke nets
Direct effect of contaminants, e.g. PCBs and heavy metals

How are we helping to conserve the otter in the Cheshire region?

The Cheshire Otter Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) Group meet quarterly. The group is made up of representatives from the Environment Agency, Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Natural England, Countryside Council for Wales, Vale Royal Borough Council, Cheshire County Council, Macclesfield Borough Council, Chester City Council, The Mersey Basin Campaign, Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, British Association of Shooting and Conservation, Chester Zoo, rECOrd, United Utilities, British Waterways. The group meets to discuss projects relating to otters in Cheshire and promote joint working.

Many practical projects are facilitated by the group, including otter holt building and bankside improvements. One of the main drivers for improvement to otter habitat is the Environmental Stewardship Scheme, providing funding to landowners for habitat improvements for otters.

Targets and Actions

Progress can be recorded in one of four categories each year to fit with BARS ie: no progress/ not started, some progress, good progress, action completed with a summary of the details.

National Target 1	Maintain the current distribution of the otter throughout the UK at the 2005 baseline of 2219 occupied 10km squares. (878 in England)
Local Target 1	*Maintain current distribution of otters in Cheshire at 2005 baseline of x occupied 1km squares.*
Local Objective	Actions	Delivery Responsibility	2006 Progress
1a Update the database of records in Cheshire	Resurvey all sites surveyed for the national survey (2000-2002) by end of 2008	National BAP Group
	Re-survey all sites covered in the Middlemarch Survey between 2008-2010	LBAP Group
	Set up a video monitoring project and identify at least 6 sites suitable for the equipment by summer 2007	CWT and LBAP Group
	Map the location of all artificial holts in Cheshire by summer 2007	CWT
	Set up a system for monitoring use of artificial holts by end of 2007	CWT
	Set up a programme for volunteer surveyors by end 2007	CAT & LBAP Group
	Recruit new volunteer surveyors to cover Weaver, Gowy and Dee catchments by end 2007	CWT
	Maintain an involvement with the emerging Dee Otter Project. Attend meetings	LBAP Group
	Ensure all data is sent to rECOrd and all actions are inputted into BARS	LBAP Chair/LBAP Coordinator/EA
1b Raise awareness and understanding through training events and promotional activities	Run a seminar on Otters and Roads for +highways engineers in Cheshire to help achieve effective mitigation and enhancement for otters by end of 2006.	CWT
	Lead a training event for Defra RDS on otter survey and habitat enhancement, October 2006	LBAP Chair
	Incorporate otter information into training events organised for Local Authority Planning Officers – one training course per year	Local Authority Ecologists and CWT
	Upload to Countdown website the landowner leaflet advising them about habitat enhancement and management for otters by end of 2006.	LBAP Chair
	Distribute “Know Your Otter” cards and landowner leaflets at public events – at least 4 events per year	LBAP Group
	Distribute “Know Your Otter” cards to angling clubs to raise awareness by end of 2006
1c Coordinate otter work across Cheshire	Ensure that the Otter LBAP Group meets 4 times per year to forward the actions within this plan	LBAP Chair
1c Coordinate otter work across Cheshire	Ensure that all organisations involved in otter work are represented on the group with an annual review in December	LBAP Chair
1d Ensure otters are given due consideration within the planning process	Comment on planning application that have the potential to effect the otter population	Local Authority Ecologists, CWT, EA

National Target 2	Expand the distribution of otters to achieve 85% (2377) occupancy of 10km squares across the UK by 2015. (997 in England)
Local Target 2	*Expand the distribution of otters in Cheshire to achieve ?% occupancy of 1km squares by 2015.*
Local Objective	Actions	Responsibility	2006 Progress
2a Encourage population expansion by natural recolonisation of former sites through habitat enhancement	Build 3 artificial otter holts on suitable sites every year	NE, FWAG, CWT, Local Authorities
	Advise landowners about sympathetic management of riparian habitats for otters by targeting two Higher Level Stewardship Schemes for holt building every year in Cheshire	NE, BASC
	Identify areas with poor water quality from Environment Agency fisheries, biological and chemical water quality data by the end of 2006	EA, LBAP Chair
	Lobby for areas with poor water quality to be included within AMP 4 (2010)	EA, LBAP Group
	Identify current habitat quality and areas for enhancement – commission a report in 2006	EA
	Target habitat enhancement in areas identified in the EA report through CrBAP and Local Authority grant schemes. At least £1000 of funding for enhancement per year.	LBAP Coordinator, Local Authority Officer, LBAP Chair, CWT, NE

Progress so far

2006 Action Completed

Otter and Roads Seminar sponsored by Chester Zoo and organised by Cheshire Wildlife Trust held on 17 th November 2006
Surveys of Chester Canals and River Gowy completed by Sarah Bird
Elaine Tatham carried out an Otter survey and holt location seminar for Defra November 2006
Otter video monitoring project officer employed for 6 months by Cheshire Wildlife Trust with funding from the Environment Agency and the Sandstone Ridge ECOnet Partnership (SREP)
Surveys of the Gowy, Shropshire Union Canal and Wheelock sub catchment of the Dane by Environment Agency
Holt construction on the River Dean through planning condition – Macclesfield BC
Survey of section of Weaver near Northwich by Elaine Tatham revealed positive results

2005 Action Completed

Cheshire region Otter LBAP Action Group continued to meet regularly during 2005. British Waterways were recruited onto the group
Database of otter records extended to include a number of new records collected during 2005
Arrangements made with landowners to construct four new artificial otter holts during autumn 2005 at sites in Macclesfield Forest, River Dane near Congleton, River Bollin near Wilmslow and Chadkirk Country Park in Stockport
Two training events held for volunteer otter surveyors
Environment Agency funded survey carried out by independent consultants provided comprehensive coverage of all main catchments in Cheshire except for Dane
Environment Agency officers conducted survey of several sites along River Dane
Additional survey work carried out by Cheshire Wildlife Trust along River Weaver and canal network in south of region
Several landowners approached for sites to install video-monitoring equipment. BASC have provided a suitable site, via their membership, along the River Gowy for CWT to site video recording equipment
Several otter related talks have been given to a variety of audiences including a presentation to the Cheshire Water Forum Conference at Crewe Alex football stadium in July
Advice about appropriate habitat management for otters and riparian mammals given to landowners
Landowner leaflet produced
Otter issues discussed at Stillwater BAP meetings
Representations made on several major planning applications and proposed developments relating to otter mitigation, including the SEMMS road scheme in North East Cheshire
Bid prepared for a riparian mammal project officer

2004 Action Completed

Cheshire region Otter LBAP Action Group formed during 2004 and has met three times
7,500 copies of an otter and mink identification and recording card produced and distributed “Know Your Otter” card. Funding provided by Chester Zoo and Environment Agency
Database of otter records for the Cheshire region produced and maintained
Two artificial log pile otter holts constructed on the Rivers Gowy and Dee in Cheshire
Holt building event held in North Wales to celebrate Wales Biodiversity Week, June 2004
40 volunteer otter surveyors trained as part of a riparian mammal survey training event held at Chester Zoo in April 2004
Otter spotter survey pack produced and distributed to volunteer surveyors
Survey work carried out along Rivers Weaver, Dee, Dane and Gowy, including canal network
Project funding received from Chester Zoo. A microscope has been purchased to allow analysis of otter spraint as well as equipment to carry out video-monitoring of otter holts
Otter display boards produced. These were exhibited at several events including Only One Earth in July 2004
Otter talk presented at Countdown for Youth Conference at Helsby High School in October 2003

2003 Action Completed

A North West Regional BAP Group has been formed to report back to the National Otter BAP Steering Group.
A Local BAP Group has been formed.
DETR have produced "The Good Roads Guide Nature Conservation Advice in relation to otters" for the design manual for roads and bridges.
Otter issues included in the Dee, Lower Mersey, Mersey/Bollin, and Weaver/Dane LEAPs.
Across the northwest EA are providing all eel netsman with otterguards on application for a licence.
Cheshire Wildlife Trust have produced an otter habitat management plan for the River Gowy.
CWT completed a review of the artificial otter holts and otter havens in the north west for the Environment Agency.
EA Flood defence work program on the River Gowy altered to increase biodiversity in bankside cover.
The revised Environment Agency's Otters and Rivers Technical Handbook has been produced.
Leaflet produced to give guidance on the requirements of otters to landowners.
Produced a list of catchments and coastal areas where otters have been recorded since 1960.
Over 5,300 records have been entered on the regional database.
Poster produced to raise awareness of road casualty issue across the north west.
The North West Water and The Wildlife Trusts Otters and Rivers Project supported by the Environment Agency and WWF came to an end in July 2001.
Vale Royal Borough Council have produced a recording/information card.
Survey work was carried out Cheshire Wildlife Trust to feed into the Fourth National Otter Survey for England.

1997-2002 Action Completed

A North West Regional BAP Group has been formed to report back to the National Otter BAP Steering Group.
A Local BAP Group has been formed.
DETR have produced "The Good Roads Guide Nature Conservation Advice in relation to otters" for the design manual for roads and bridges.
Otter issues included in the Dee, Lower Mersey, Mersey/Bollin, and Weaver/Dane LEAPs.
Across the northwest EA are providing all eel netsman with otterguards on application for a licence.
Cheshire Wildlife Trust have produced an otter habitat management plan for the River Gowy.
Cheshire Wildlife Trust established monitoring programme of artificial otter holts.
EA Flood Defence work programme on the River Gowy altered to increase biodiversity in bankside cover.
The revised Environment Agency's Otters and Rivers Technical Handbook has been produced.
Leaflet produced to give guidance on the requirements of otters to landowners.
Produced a list of catchments and coastal areas where otters have been recorded since 1960.
Over 5,300 records have been entered on the regional database.
Poster produced to raise awareness of road casualty issue across the north west.
The North West Water and The Wildlife Trusts Otters and Rivers Project supported by the Environment Agency and WWF came to an end in July 2001.

How to find out more about otters

IUCN Red List of threatened species - International www.iucnredlist.org
UK BAP for Otters - www.ukbap.org.uk/UKPlans.aspx?ID=428
Lancashire Biodiversity Partnership`s Species Action plan: www.lbap.org.uk/bap/species/otter.htm
Staffordshire Biodiversity Action Plan: www.sbap.org.uk
Environment Agency Website www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Vale Royal Borough Council Otter Species Recording card
Know Your Otter Card, produced by the Cheshire region Biodiversity Partnership including help from the Environment Agency and Chester Zoo
Otter Video Monitoring Project

Volunteers on a survey training day, surveying under a bridge

How can you get involved?

To help us with our conservation work for the Otter we need your help. If you think you have seen an otter or mink, or signs of these animals, such as footprints or droppings, please fill out our online form and press 'Submit' to send it back to the Otter LBAP coordinator. The data will be sent to the local biological records centre, rECOrd. Don't worry if you can't complete the questions fully. All information is useful.

If you find a dead otter, please contact Cheshire Wildlife Trust immediately on 01948 820728.

Join Cheshire Mammal Group. More information can be found at http://www.consult-eco.ndirect.co.uk/lrc/mamg.htm

Contact details

LBAP Chair	Elaine Tatham, Vale Royal Borough Council, 01606 867748
National Lead Partner	Graham Scholey, Environment Agency

References & Glossary

BASC British Association of Shooting and Conservation
CCC Cheshire County Council
CrBAP Cheshire Region Biodiversity Action Plan
CWT Cheshire Wildlife Trust
EA Environment Agency
FWAG Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group
LBAP Local Biodiversity Action Plan
MBC Macclesfield Borough Council
NE Natural England
VRBC Vale Royal Borough Council