January 2008

13/01/08
River Otter sighted over numerous days throughout January at SSWW. This otter seems to have taken up residence here. Local Wildlife organisations have been informed and tracking of its movements continue by all those involved. Thanks to IG for reporting its movements to us first hand.

Otters are heavily protected by national and international law and cannot be killed, kept or sold except by special licence. Surveys at local level are designed to calculate current distribution of the animals and their likely movements in the future, while national surveys are undertaken every five to seven years. Wetland and grassland habitat favourable to otters will be promoted by specific land management techniques.

21/01/08

I saw something this morning whilst at St Cyrus and wasn't sure what it was, just spoke to Rebecca who says she saw, what she thought was a Minke whale @ 9.45am this morning heading south from Johnshaven. This would tie in with the time I saw something at St Cyrus. She also said that her friend saw an extremely large marine mammal heading south from Gourdon @ 9.40am.

Sue Horne

23/01/08
4 seals observed at NCC and CAP by TSM. Swimming freely.

28/01/08

1 seal swimming at SSWW. Observed in the morning by TBM.

Our Festive Period Grey seal pups "Fetlar" and "Mousa" have now been released back into the wild following their spell in rehabilitation at SSPCA Middlebank.