4f4c4942-4343-5764-6473-313136333334 English Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en 2025-12-01T14:05:02.905Z NRW 1.0 wel British National Grid (EPSG::27700) Otter Survey Data 1991-2010 Otter Survey Data 1991-2010 Data Arolwg Dyfrgwn 1991-2010 Wales Otter Survey Database AfA224 Otter Survey Data 1977-2010 2020-10-27 NRW_DS116334 The European otter (Lutra lutra) is widely recognised as an emblem for nature conservation in the UK because it is a top predator and an important biological indicator of the health of our rivers and wetlands. Monitoring the status of the otter therefore gives us a valuable measure of the state of our water and wetland ecosystems. In Wales as in much of the UK, it is a largely nocturnal animal and is rarely observed in the wild. It is however possible to detect its presence by searching for its distinctive droppings (spraints) and footprints. As part of a scheme to monitor the distribution of otters throughout the UK, five Welsh otter survey were carried out as follows: - 1st survey: 1977-78 run and funded by NCC. - 2nd survey: 1984-85 run and funded by Vincent Wildlife Trust - 3rd survey: 1991 run and funded by Vincent Wildlife Trust - 4th survey: 2002 run by EAW and the Wildlife Trusts and funded by EAW, CCW and Welsh Water. - 5th survey: 2009-2010 run by EAW and the Wildlife Trusts, IBAP officers and the Snowdonia Mammal Group. The aim of these surveys was to monitor the distribution of otters throughout Wales. Sites were selected by accessibility and likelihood of finding signs of otter activity, typically road bridges and the confluences of watercourses. The number of sites visited per hydrometric region varied. No attempt was made to randomise the sampling effort, but there was some site variability due different issues when the surveys were undertaken. This dataset is made up of two parts; the 3rd and 4th surveys (1991 and 2002), and the 5th survey 2009-2010. The full Welsh for the 1st and 2nd surveys, for 1997-78, 1984-85 is not currently available. The 1991 and 2002 data are currently available on the NBN Gateway (published by JNCC) as redacted open data. This raw data is currently not available, however more detailed information about each surveying year can be found in the reports available through the library (see related titles). The 2009-2010 otter surveys are available though NRW but will be issued under licence. The European otter (Lutra lutra) is widely recognised as an emblem for nature conservation in the UK because it is a top predator and an important biological indicator of the health of our rivers and wetlands. Monitoring the status of the otter therefore gives us a valuable measure of the state of our water and wetland ecosystems. In Wales as in much of the UK, it is a largely nocturnal animal and is rarely observed in the wild. It is however possible to detect its presence by searching for its distinctive droppings (spraints) and footprints. As part of a scheme to monitor the distribution of otters throughout the UK, five Welsh otter survey were carried out as follows: - 1st survey: 1977-78 run and funded by NCC. - 2nd survey: 1984-85 run and funded by Vincent Wildlife Trust - 3rd survey: 1991 run and funded by Vincent Wildlife Trust - 4th survey: 2002 run by EAW and the Wildlife Trusts and funded by EAW, CCW and Welsh Water. - 5th survey: 2009-2010 run by EAW and the Wildlife Trusts, IBAP officers and the Snowdonia Mammal Group. The aim of these surveys was to monitor the distribution of otters throughout Wales. Sites were selected by accessibility and likelihood of finding signs of otter activity, typically road bridges and the confluences of watercourses. The number of sites visited per hydrometric region varied. No attempt was made to randomise the sampling effort, but there was some site variability due different issues when the surveys were undertaken. This dataset is made up of two parts; the 3rd and 4th surveys (1991 and 2002), and the 5th survey 2009-2010. The full Welsh for the 1st and 2nd surveys, for 1997-78, 1984-85 is not currently available. The 1991 and 2002 data are currently available on the NBN Gateway (published by JNCC) as redacted open data. This raw data is currently not available, however more detailed information about each surveying year can be found in the reports available through the library (see related titles). The 2009-2010 otter surveys are available though NRW but will be issued under licence. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en Vincent Wildlife Trust 3 and 4 Bronsil Courtyard, Eastnor, Ledbury, Herefordshire, HR8 1EP Unknown www.vwt.org.uk Various including volunteer recorders c/o Natural Resources Wales, Maes y Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresourceswales.gov.uk/splash?orig=/ Environment Agency Wales (EA Wales) Cambria House, 29 Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 0TP, Wales enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk www.environment-agency.gov.uk Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en Species distribution GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0 2008-06-01 geonetwork.thesaurus.external.theme.httpinspireeceuropaeutheme-theme otter surveys otter spraints otters lutra lutra (lutrinae) NRW Thesaurus 2025-01-08 geonetwork.thesaurus.local.theme.converted_nrw-keywords Natural Resources (Incl. Features and Processes) (SMNR) Animals, Plants and Other Organisms (SMNR) Freshwater and Wetlands (SMNR) Management Areas (SMNR) Ecosystem (SMNR) Water Quality (SMNR) Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (SMNR) NRW SMNR Keywords 2024-06-26 geonetwork.thesaurus.local.theme.converted_nrw-smnr-keywords Part of this dataset is sensitive and restricted as it contains data exempt from general release under EIR. Sensitive data must be kept confidential; general release is not permitted due to risk of harm to the environment or third parties. [See NRW guidance on Ecological data and information exempt from general release] no limitations © CNC/NRW, 2015. Data may be re-used under provision and in line with the terms of a NRW licence and NRWs guidance on Ecological data exempt from general release. Contains Natural Resources Wales information © Natural Resources Wales and Database Right. All rights Reserved. NRW Conditional English biota SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 Wales (WLS) -6.918448 -1.986869 50.946732 53.985471 1997-01-01 2010-12-31 Otter survey of Wales 1977-78 Otter survey of Wales 1984-85 Otter survey of Wales 1991 = Arolwg ar ddyfrgwn yng Nghymru 1991 Otter survey of Wales 2002 =arolwy dyfrgwn Cymru 2002 Otter survey of Wales 2009 - 2010 - Arolwg Dyfrgwn yng Nghymru Documents [A] The dataset is made up of two spreadsheets - 1991 and 2002 data - 2009-2010 data [B] The 1991 and 2002 data is also available on the NBN Gateway (See Resources Locator) https://registry.nbnatlas.org/public/show/dr928 https://registry.nbnatlas.org/public/show/dr3416 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link View and Download Commission Regulation (EU) No 1089/2010 of 23 November 2010 implementing Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards interoperability of spatial data sets and services 2010-12-08 This dataset has not been assessed for conformance to the referenced INSPIRE regulation. false 1018 sites have been consistently monitored over the four surveys. Two field survey techniques are used – full surveys for sites investigated in previous national surveys and spot-checks for all the alternate 50 km squares not covered in previous surveys. Spot checks are made for up to 10 locations within the survey square. Sites were surveyed for otter spraints (droppings) and footprints, if found these were classed as a positive record / signs. The survey protocol was to search up to 600 m of one bank of a waterbody from a starting point (grid referenced), either all in one direction or split between two directions. Searching stopped as soon as signs of activity were noted. The number of spraints was recorded. No otter holts were recorded specifically, however, if present within the dataset these have been removed from the public version and will only be issued under licence. The presence of mink is also recorded but this is only included as part of the more detailed otter survey. 1018 sites have been consistently monitored over the four surveys. Two field survey techniques are used – full surveys for sites investigated in previous national surveys and spot-checks for all the alternate 50 km squares not covered in previous surveys. Spot checks are made for up to 10 locations within the survey square. Sites were surveyed for otter spraints (droppings) and footprints, if found these were classed as a positive record / signs. The survey protocol was to search up to 600 m of one bank of a waterbody from a starting point (grid referenced), either all in one direction or split between two directions. Searching stopped as soon as signs of activity were noted. The number of spraints was recorded. No otter holts were recorded specifically, however, if present within the dataset these have been removed from the public version and will only be issued under licence. The presence of mink is also recorded but this is only included as part of the more detailed otter survey.