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Original poster

I saw a wild otter!

48 replies

StillMedusa · 14/04/2019 09:08

I'm just excited Grin
Never seen them in the wild before and I'm staying with DH in Norfolk for the weekend and saw three, splashing around in the river and calling to each other!
I've only ever seen them at our local wildlife park before so that has made my weekend :)

OP posts:
Dowser · 14/04/2019 09:11

Aww that’s lovely.
We went to a state park of Florida and there were loads there.
First and only time I’ve seen them in the wild too

KeptTheBeachesShipwreckFree · 14/04/2019 09:12

I felt the same the other weekend when I saw 2 hares in the field, right next to the road. I'd only ever seen them in pictures before and apparently they're in massive decline here.

SquatBetty · 14/04/2019 09:13

Ooooh Deeply envious! Would love to see a wild otter. Been to Scotland many times and have visited places where wild otters are supposed to hang out but have never had a sniff of one.

BringOnTheScience · 14/04/2019 09:13

Otters (& hares) are indeed v v special Smile

mobile.twitter.com/OnlyOtters/status/1051897574226108416 with sound on!

BabloHoney · 14/04/2019 09:14

Very jealous!! I love a good otter ☺️ Saw them in a wild life park once and a couple of them were juggling with pebbles!

TooTrueToBeGood · 14/04/2019 09:18

Lovely. They are such special creatures. I've seen them many times whilst out sea kayaking but they never fail to give me a warm glow in side. I once chanced upon one having a nap on her back in the water about 100m off shore in a sea loch. I tried to glide past without disturbing her but she woke up, looked at me through sleepy eyes for a moment, changed to a comically confused look for a few seconds and then she disappeared under the water.

Vinorosso74 · 14/04/2019 09:19

Jealous-I love otters! I saw a red squirrel earlier this week.

Gumbo · 14/04/2019 09:27

Awesome! I was out walking with DS the other day and we saw a weasel... it wasn't bothered by us at all and was just pottering around in the hedgerow, every now and then standing up on its back legs.

I cycle in the early mornings and often see badgers - and a stag almost ran into me this morning! I love seeing wildlife in the natural habitat Smile

foodenvy · 14/04/2019 09:35

I also love getting a glimpse of wildlife. I saw a mink not so long ago.

foodenvy · 14/04/2019 09:36

I used to like seeing urban foxes when I lived in the city.

fattylawmaker · 14/04/2019 09:38

A wild otter in Scotland and the dolphins in cardigan bay are two of my happiest memories Smile

Very pleased for you OP!

dangermouseisace · 14/04/2019 09:55

I’m so jealous! What time of day did you see them (as there are some in the canal near me apparently)?

longtompot · 14/04/2019 10:06

Very jealous of both the otter and hare sightings. Apparently the river near us has some otters living in it again, yet to see one though.

sirfredfredgeorge · 14/04/2019 10:37

I thought I saw a small one, but it was much more likely a Mink, and then I was very sad...

hazandduck · 14/04/2019 10:41

Oh I’m so jealous!! Otters are possibly my favourite animal, we’ve been on many walks round our area (River Itchen) in the hope of seeing them but no such luck.
You lucky thing, OP!

DeadCertain · 14/04/2019 10:48

Could you report it to one of the interested organisations such as Otter Watch or UK Wild Otter Trust? Can be done quickly online. Beautiful creatures.

NottonightJosepheen · 14/04/2019 10:51

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Time40 · 14/04/2019 10:59

Oh, that's lovely OP.

Over the last thirty years, I've spent a lot of time in remote part of Scotland, and I've only seen otters about half a dozen times. Oddly enough, my closest ever encounter was last month. I was jogging on a beach, and I crossed paths with one. It didn't seem to mind as I got closer, and I ended up about six feet away. I stopped. It stopped. We looked at each other for a few seconds, and then it trotted off into the sea and dived under. This was in the evening, as the sun was setting. It was quite something to look an otter in the eyes.

Other than that, I have seen them swimming in the sea. I once saw one swimming by the prow of the car ferry, with all the vehicles lined up alongside waiting to board. And I once very, very nearly ran one over when it ran in front of my car on the high street of a seaside town. Yes, it really was an otter - one was known to be around in town and had been seen by many people at the time. I'm so glad I didn't hit it.

madeyemoodysmum · 14/04/2019 10:59

Oh wow. How lovely.

NottonightJosepheen · 14/04/2019 11:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TreacherousPissFlap · 14/04/2019 11:33

It's been years since I saw an otter Sad

I am however extremely fortunate that I know where to watch hares, and we have a flourishing family of weasels at work Smile

TheQueef · 14/04/2019 11:34

Jammy bugger Smile

Olinguito · 14/04/2019 11:41

I'd love to see an otter in the wild - lucky you OP!

RottnestFerry · 14/04/2019 11:51

I saw one while wild camping on the west coast of Scotland a few years ago. It freaked my ex-wife out and she insisted on sleeping in the car.

NottonightJosepheen · 14/04/2019 11:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.