Protected Species Surveys > Otters

< Previous Topic | Next Topic >

Otters are legally protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Habits Regulations 1994.

Taken together these two pieces of legislation make it illegal to:

Capture or kill an otter
Disturb an otter whilst in a place of shelter or rest
Damage or destroy an otters breeding site or resting place
Obstruct otters from using a place of shelter or rest

No offence is committed if work is done under and in accordance with an appropriate licence.

Habitats Regulations licences sometimes called European Protected Species Licences (EPSL's) permit work that would otherwise constitute an offence by disturbing otters or damaging/obstructing their access to resting or shelter habitat. Greenwillows Associates personnel have many years of experience in undertaking the initial presence/absence survey s for otters and have the expertise and experience to guide and advise our clients' architects and surveyors on the level of information required from them in order to acquire the necessary EPSL.

In many water courses a boat based survey is the only practicable methodology. Greenwillows Associates possesses a shallow draft punt with outboard motor which is capable of navigating most water courses and has often been used with good effect in surveying for otters.

Our Checklist of Services which complies with national best practice standards set out by Natural England includes:

Desk study and data searches for historical biological records pertinent to the target site
Site assessment surveys to establish habitat suitability for otters
Surveys for presence/absence of otters and assess potential impact of the proposed scheme on otters
Where necessary follow up detailed surveys to map signs of otter activity and holt locations
Prepare reports in support of planning applications
Design and implementation of mitigation measures to minimise impact on otters during construction to include creation of new holts
Prepare licence applications and obtain licences to permit disturbance and/or holt closures
Population monitoring to discharge planning and/or licensing conditions