Greg Buxton
Senior Member
I do not want to re-open a debate on otters and their impact on fish populations in UK rivers. But I've made the following observations and wondered about other forum members experiences. Do you think the amount of dogs which have access to a stretch has an impact and reduces the otter activity there?
I say this because on one stretch of the Stour which is private/club with a no dogs policy, I see lots of otter activity. On another where their is public access for dog walkers I rarely see otters! On the public access stretch there are literally dozens of Labs,Spaniels and Terriers from dawn till dusk in and out of the margins rooting around and leaving their scent. This must be off putting for an otter who has no natural predators and is looking for a place to buid a holt and raise young?
I know from my own experience of owning a Cairn Terrier how inquisitive and aggressive even a small dog can be when coming across our furry and feathery friends of all sizes when out walking in the wilds.
I'm not saying otters wont and don't frequent (or pass through) areas of river with lots of dog activity, I'm just interested in others observations.
Regards
Greg.
I say this because on one stretch of the Stour which is private/club with a no dogs policy, I see lots of otter activity. On another where their is public access for dog walkers I rarely see otters! On the public access stretch there are literally dozens of Labs,Spaniels and Terriers from dawn till dusk in and out of the margins rooting around and leaving their scent. This must be off putting for an otter who has no natural predators and is looking for a place to buid a holt and raise young?
I know from my own experience of owning a Cairn Terrier how inquisitive and aggressive even a small dog can be when coming across our furry and feathery friends of all sizes when out walking in the wilds.
I'm not saying otters wont and don't frequent (or pass through) areas of river with lots of dog activity, I'm just interested in others observations.
Regards
Greg.