Otter Holt Building

Last week, we had a fantastic day working with an amazing group of volunteers to build a log pile otter holt! With people of all ages getting stuck in, it was a real team effort to create a safe and sheltered space for otters along the river.

Before we got started, we took some time to learn about otters and how to spot signs of them in the wild. We looked for tracks in the mud, spraint (that’s otter poo, which has a distinct fishy smell!), and feeding remains. These clues tell us that otters are present, which is helpful as sightings are difficult to come by as otters are primarily nocturnal and crepuscular, meaning they are most active at night and during dawn and dusk

Otters (Lutra lutra) are semi-aquatic mammals that rely on clean waterways with plenty of fish, amphibians, and invertebrates to eat. They were once in serious decline due to pollution and habitat loss, but thanks to conservation efforts, they made a good come back, populations are now thought to be declining again with evidence of why yet to be confirmed. Providing holts, safe resting and breeding spots can help support their recovery.

Our log pile holt was built using stacked logs, branches, and natural materials to blend into the landscape. These structures give otters a place to shelter during the day and even raise their young. Everyone worked together to build a sturdy, well-hidden den, and we can’t wait to see if it gets used!

A huge thank you to all the volunteers who joined us. Your hard work is helping to make North Wales’ rivers even better for wildlife. If you’d like to get involved in future conservation days, keep an eye on our events page!