Enjoy a closer look at a new generation of Gosforth Nature Reserve Otters in a new blog by local naturalist and NHSN volunteer, Christopher Wren.
Many visitors to Gosforth Nature Reserve have been fortunate to see the otters in recent weeks. The two new cubs first appeared last month, probably having been born in early July (Otters are non-seasonal breeders so the young can be born at any time of year.) The first time the cubs appeared on the trail cameras they looked very small and had clearly never seen a camera before, but I am surprised they were so far behind their mother – normally at this young age they stay very close.
Although otters are often nocturnal in habit I think this is mainly a response to many centuries of persecution, as there is no reason a fish-eating animal shouldn’t be out in daytime. This family is often active in daylight, as in the next video. The mother stopped by at the scent-marking spot and the cubs were again some way behind. They were keen to explore before eventually following her. They already look bigger and more agile.
A few minutes later the mother was back but she doesn’t get much peace. Even when grooming she is keeping an ear out for the cubs, just out of view. Otter poo (spraint) is deposited regularly to mark territory and the cubs are learning to join in.
The dog otter has been showing up regularly on the cameras. He is almost certainly the father of the cubs but he leads a solitary life and takes no part in their upbringing, probably rarely interacting with the family other than through scent-marking. Although otters are semi-aquatic animals they don’t usually spend more than two or three hours a day in the water. The dog otter spends the rest of his time sleeping, patrolling his territory and grooming, as here.
Finally a video from the last few days. Notice how the picture quality improves as more cameras are activated and add their light to the view. The cubs are growing fast but still have a lot to learn. Compared with, say, fox cubs that become independent very quickly, it takes a long time to learn to be an otter. These cubs will stay with their mother for up to a year. On the west coast of Scotland, where otters have to cope with tides and storms, growing up takes even longer.