As part of the Nottingham University PhD study on the River Wensum, MSC student Grace Roberts is to analyse samples of Otter Spraint found within the Wensum Valley. The WCP Ecology group has established a group of volunteers who will collect samples of Otter spraint during late January into March 2023.
To facilitate this Grace has produced a set of protocols and guidelines for the volunteers.
We discussed the need for a guide to finding and identifying otter spraint. Grace has found these useful guides to identifying spraint:
A presentation from Grace is available here for reference here: .Otter Spraint Collection Project
A quick guide to Otter Spraint Identification
A protocol document is available here: Otter Spraint Collection Protocol – freezer
Our risk assessment is available here.
Agreed freezer storage and drop off points
- The Norfolk Rivers Trust in Holt – Hall Farm Glandford NR25 7JA
- Gary Bradshaw in his garage in Costessey 15 Woodlands Road New Costessey NR5 0NA
- Daniel Brydon at Taverham Angling Centre during opening hours Unit 3, Taverham Garden Centre NR8 6HT
- Hawk and Owl Trust Sculthorpe Moor Turf Moor Rd, Sculthorpe NR21 9GN
Tim Ellis has also provided some imagery of an Otter “run” and its spraint from the Wensum, a useful reference.
Contacts
Grace Roberts
Email svygr4@nottingham.ac.uk
Mobile 07972096120
