Bristol and Gloucestershire Mammal Group - Bristol Otter Project
Hi All.
The otter survey/walk/meet went well and I hope to get some results in before the next meet on May 9th. I can then pass them on to other members,wildlife trusts, and BRERC.
Thanks to everybody that turned up and calmed my nerves. The day was fantastic and we found fresh(ish) spraint at two locations on the Frome at Frenchay. We have some of the major Bristol rivers covered enough to give us an idea of where the Otters are in Bristol. There is still a lot of water that needs to be looked at by us even if other groups or individuals are already surveying them.
I would like to expand our survey sites to the south of Bristol, so if any members live that side or know of anybody who might be interested in joining the project please let me know. Mike is also setting up a survey to come south from Gloucester to meet up with our survey so contact us if you would like to get involved in either survey.
Also, we are a Mammal group and I feel sure there are other people out there that like other mammals (deer being a fav' of mine) Perhaps we could do some thing that YOU are interested in or would like to find out! Maybe a group badger watch, or hare spotting, anything related to mammals. Give Mike and I your Ideas by emailing info@gloucestershire-mammals.org and we will do our best with your help to arrange something.
The idea of the project/group was to bring like minded people together and have a bit of fun at the same time so please pass on any ideas you have or projects you want to do.
Thanks again for a great meet and look forward to seeing you and hearing your survey stories next month
Mark
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Hi all and thanks for looking at our site. If you are interested in taking part in Otter and Mammal surveys in Bristol and South Gloucestershire you have come to the right place.
The idea is that we fill in where North Somerset Otter Group (NSOG) and Somerset Otter Group(SOG) boundaries end. I have surveyed for NSOG on the border of the SOG. Otters do not know about county boundaries they just go about their business naturally. This means some are recorded twice, or more often, not recorded at all!
There is a otter presence in Bristol and used to be a otter group. The area needs to be surveyed to establish where in the area they are and how they are moving about, whether it be up the estuary or in land by river or canal.
My idea is with your help, record where about's in Bristol the otters are and their numbers. This information will be passed back to you, and the Bristol Regional Environmental Record Centre (BRERC).
The way I would like to do this is with monthly surveys, and twice yearly, at the same time as NSOG, SOG, and the new Gloucestershire Mammal Group ,do a two day survey. i.e. Survey on the evening of the first day and early morning the next, this way we know as precisely as possible the numbers present.
Thanks for reading this far and if I still have your interest then please get in touch with us via this site, Hope to hear from you soon.
Mark
