Otter field ecology tour

Otters are charismatic loveable animals, full of character and interesting behaviour. Shetland has the highest density of otters in Europe and is probably one of the best studied populations in the UK. This helps to make Shetland one of the best places in Europe to see otters.

Otters lead fascinating lives and are highly evolved to exploit both the underwater and terrestrial environments. Otters are shy, but with knowledge of how they live, what signs to look for and how to approach them, they can be observed in their natural environment and their behaviour can be studied.

Techniques Covered

• How to assess weather conditions for observing otters
• Assessing suitability of a coastline for otters
• Looking, finding and interpreting otter signs
• Examination of the intertidal/coastal fringe to look at how an otter forages and what prey species live there
• Field craft and how to approach an otter
• Observing otters: interpreting otter behaviour and understanding how this behaviour is linked to the otter’s ecology
• Otters and the law

Number of people:

• You can book exclusive one-to-one or small goups between 1 and 4 people.

Duration and Time:

• The days will last approximately 6 to 8 hours.
• These tours run throughout the year.

The course is field based and will be undertaken along one of the stretches of Shetlands beautiful coastline.

The best time is from February through to November. Early winter (September to November) offers opportunities to work with very young families as otters in Shetland mainly give birth in the summer and young cubs appear on the shore from the natal holt round about August to September. Mid winter the days are very short but can be exceptional for watching otters but the light can be low and the weather is very unpredictable with many winter storms. February onwards the days start to pull out, light levels are increasing making it much better to be out following otters. The cubs are growing up and play fight a lot and which makes for great fun.

Cost:

The cost for this tour is £350 for an exclusive tour, or £300 per person for groups.

Clothing and Requirements:

When preparing for your outdoor adventure, it's essential to gear up appropriately for optimal comfort and convenience. Be sure to wear warm attire, including a snug hat, insulating gloves, a reliable waterproof coat, and durable trousers, as well as sturdy footwear. It is always best if you bring jackets and trousers that don’t make much noise when moving in them, soft, supple, quiet fabric for rustle-free movement.

Transport

We will agree on a meeting point from which we will travel as a group in our transport to the different locations throughout the day.

Food and Drink

The price does not include food or hot drinks, so please bring your own pack lunch and drinks.

Equipment

You must supply your own photography equipment.

What's Included

More information:

• Find out more about Richard Shucksmith
• See what accommodation is available in Shetland
• Read our FAQs