Otter Survey

Otters live in what are called “Holts”, underground burrows they create to bare and raise cubs. These Holts are usually hidden within vegetation. Otters are one of the UK’s top predators, feeding off mainly Fish, waterbirds, amphibians and crustaceans. Otters are very well suited to life in and around water, with webbed feet, thick fur for warmth and with the ability to close off their ears and nose whilst underwater. Cubs begin to navigate the waterways after just 10 weeks of age.       

The Otter has grey-brown fur, with a pale chest. They have a broad face and snout with a large body, which distinguishes them from a Weasel. 

It is an offence to deliberately kill, injure, disturb or capture Otters, damage or destroy their breeding sites and resting places - even if Otters are not present possess, control or transport them (living or not living).

It is also an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to intentionally or recklessly: disturb Otters while they occupy a structure or place used for shelter or protection, and obstruct access to a place of shelter or protection.

Developers must comply with the legal protection of Otters and may need to apply for an Otter mitigation licence to carry out their development proposal.

A survey is needed if: distribution and historical records suggest Otters may be present, development will affect a water body, river, stream, lake, sea or marshland, or development will affect habitats near a water body directly or through environmental effects, such as creating noise or light.

A survey is needed if: distribution and historical records suggest Otters may be present, development will affect a water body, river, stream, lake, sea or marshland, or development will affect habitats near a water body directly or through environmental effects, such as creating noise or light.

We provide high quality survey results with appropriate evaluation and assessment. We apply this experience to develop net gain, mitigation and compensation strategies to address the impacts of development; for condition monitoring of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs); to monitor species to determine conservation status and to assess impacts of development. We have written a variety of management plans for rare plant species, habitats and nature reserves.

• Phase 1 Habitat Survey, from site-based to county-wide projects;
• Extended Phase 1 Habitat Surveys – these expand the scope of the Phase 1 Habitat Survey to include assessment of protected and notable species;
• NVC Survey of semi-natural plant communities;
• Phase 2 botanical survey for sites and habitats that do not readily conform to the NVC system, such as post-industrial (brownfield) sites;
• Monitoring communities and plant species to determine their response to management;
• Phase 3 surveys of individual plant species, including rare protected species such as maidenhair spleenwort, fine leaved sandwort and lizard orchid;

We can use GIS to map and monitor habitats, communities and populations and to correlate abundance and distribution with other factors such as aspect, gradient, and soil type. 

On large sites (for example, in moorland) we can use GIS tools to accurately map habitats; this greatly reduces post-survey data processing time. 

We can use statistical software programmes including MATCH, MAVIS or TABLEFIT to classify NVC communities.

Our ecology consultancy services include: 

• Preliminary appraisals of habitats, communities and plant species located within proposed development sites; Carrying out survey to allow habitat evaluation, condition assessment and metric calculations that are required for the delivery of net gain for development; 
• Detailed habitat and botanical impact assessments to inform planning applications
• Advice on the implications of legal protection afforded to habitats and plant species;
• Method statements to ensure legislative compliance and minimise impacts;
• Habitat management plans; 
• Habitat evaluation to identify habitat restoration or re-creation land management requirements; 
• Development and implementation of botanical monitoring programmes including ‘community condition assessments’; 
• Species population census studies; 
• Appropriate Assessment / Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) advice (with regard to botanical Special Areas of Conservation and Ramsar Sites).

Three Shires Ecological carry out elaborate Otter Surveying and Reporting for projects that can potentially influence the living habitat. Otter Surveys can be carried out at any point during the calendar year, with the emphasis on conducting surveys over the Spring period when vegetation is not fully established. 

Three Shires Ecologists are experienced in constructing Otter Holts to a variety of specifications. Our expert team are able to advise on elements such as optimal siting, orientation, material sourcing and design. 

We have constructed artificial Otter Holts on construction schemes, most recently installing 2 new Holts for Staffordshire Alliance as part of their Norton Bridge project.