Mystery visitor.......

[raleighnut]

Are you sure it's a Otter, catching multiple fish is a behaviour I'd put down to one of these little beggars,



A Mink.

Released by activists who knew no better they can devastate stretches of water in short order.

 

[Blue Hills]

however they can apparently travel quite long distances over land.

Interesting. Why would they do that though? Had the idea that their food came from watery places?
Good luck with protecting your remaining fish.

 

[figbat]

What about those heron scarer things? Motion-activated water squirters - not sure how flighty the otter will be, especially when it realises it's just a bit of water.

 

[Oldfentiger]

Are you sure it's a Otter, catching multiple fish is a behaviour I'd put down to one of these little beggars,

View attachment 515412

A Mink.

Released by activists who knew no better they can devastate stretches of water in short order.

Nope, I’ve had a close encounter with a mink whilst fishing so I know the difference. Minks are much smaller than adult otters.

 

[Oldfentiger]

What about those heron scarer things? Motion-activated water squirters - not sure how flighty the otter will be, especially when it realises it's just a bit of water.

I had one of those a while back. The only ones that got “scared” by it was me and the window cleaner

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Nope, I’ve had a close encounter with a mink whilst fishing so I know the difference. Minks are much smaller than adult otters.

Also a hell of a lot meaner, they'll take on just about anything

 

[Blue Hills]

What about those heron scarer things? Motion-activated water squirters - not sure how flighty the otter will be, especially when it realises it's just a bit of water.

I know sod all about wildlife but can't imagine an otter being scared of water. S/he'd have the otter stripes removed surely? The shame.

 

[Blue Hills]

We do all of course look forward to a pic fentiger.

 

[Milkfloat]

How about some galvanised steel mesh? You can get posh stuff like this https://www.harrodhorticultural.com/flat-steel-pond-covers-pid8288.html but I am also sure https://www.ultimate-one.co.uk/wire-mesh-rolls-products-weld-mesh-panels-c-89_81 would work well.

 

[Oldfentiger]

We do all of course look forward to a pic fentiger.

I have a trail camera, which I will be setting up tonight. If the bugger comes back tonight I will have video footage

 

[Drago]

I do miss being home in Voe where occasionally we'd get a seal in the garden. That is the small aquatic animal, not the US navy special forces. Not sure how it'd go down now I have a dog!

 

[nickyboy]

Interesting. Why would they do that though? Had the idea that their food came from watery places?
Good luck with protecting your remaining fish.

Otter populations have recovered significantly as waterways have become cleaner. To the extent that on some parts of the country the rivers are at full population density (places like Devon for example). This forces young otters to go in search of new habitats which may be the case here

Having said that, otters are opportunists and this was probably using the stream and decided to have a look around the area to see what's available...bingo

 

[I like Skol]

Make the dog sleep in the garden.

 

[Mo1959]

Speaking to a lady a few weeks ago that has a garden pond with fish and has had several taken too. She said you sometimes find the fish lying with the scales scraped off.......this is seemingly something the otters seem to do.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Having said that, otters are opportunists and this was probably using the stream and decided to have a look around the area to see what's available...bingo

Serious question how to otters find fish, scent, touch, could it have smelt the fish if it had come down/up the stream?