Surrey Otter Species Action Plan

Surrey Otter Species Action Plan (Draft)

European Otter (Lutra lutra)

1. INTRODUCTION

Formerly widespread throughout the UK, otters suffered a rapid decline from the 1950s through to the 1970s. There were many causes but the major identified influence was the widespread use of agricultural organo-chlorines used, in the case of the otter, in sheep dip (Chanin 1985). With the gradual phasing out of these chemicals after 1975, otters have made a slow recovery assisted by targeted releases of captive bred animals. The first baseline survey, 1977-79, (Lenton et al 1980) showed that the species was sparsely distributed or absent over most of lowland and central England, but still present in the south-west and on the Welsh borders. By 1984-86 northern England, East Anglia and the counties of the south coast the population appeared to have small and fragmented populations (Strachan & Jefferies 1996). Subsequent national surveys have been carried out in 1991-94 and 2001-02 and show a slow but steady recovery. Regionally, this recovery has been from the west moving from Devon through the western counties and strengthened by releases in Gloucestershire and Hampshire. Otters are not yet resident in Surrey.

2. CURRENT STATUS

Legal Status

The otter is listed on Appendix 1 of CITES, Appendix II of the Bern Convention and Annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive. It is protected under schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and Schedule 2 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc) Regulations, 1994 (Regulation 28).

Conservation status

The European sub-species is listed as globally threatened on the IUCN/WCMC Red Data List. The species appears on the UK Biodiversity Steering Group (1995) short list.

National status

The Otter is listed as a Priority Species by the UK Biodiversity Group.The National Otter Survey undertaken in 1977-79 showed that otters were present on 170 of sites surveyed out of a total of 2940 sites - 5.78% (Lenton et al, 1980). By the 2000-02 survey otter evidence was found on 1137 out of 3327 sites - 34% (Crawford 2003).

Surrey Status

The Otter was selected by the Surrey Biodiversity Partnership to be on the mammal short list (Surrey Biodiversity Partnership (1999).Until recently, otters were completely absent from Surrey apart from the odd, casual visit on the River Wey catchment. None of the sites surveyed in any of the national surveys has ever had signs of otters. Regular spot checks at the national sites in Surrey had not shown any otter evidence until 2003.In 2003 otter evidence was found over a period of six months on the North Wey catchment. One dead animal was found on the River Blackwater in 2004 and fresh spraint (droppings) in 2005 (see 3.1 below).

3. CURRENT FACTORS CAUSING CHANGE

Increasing frequency of otter evidence in the west of the county.

There had been no recorded evidence of otters since the 1960s until spraint was found in Farnham and Guildford in 1994. No further evidence was found so it must be presumed that this was a transient visit or that the animal died. In 2002 spraint was found on the catchment of the River Loddon in Berkshire at several sites. In 2003 spraint was found over a period of six months between Alton and Farnham on the North Wey. In spring 2004 otter evidence was found in East Surrey but this was a zoo escapee that was subsequently re-captured. In September 2004 a dead otter was found on the electric railway near Frimley and in February 2005 fresh spraint was found further downstream, both on the River Blackwater catchment.

The phasing out of agricultural organo-chlorine chemicals.

Organo-chlorine chemicals, particularly DDT and Dieldrin, were implicated in otter decline in the 1950s and 1960s (Chanin 1995). Otters were particularly affected by the use of organo-chlorines in sheep dips which were then disposed of carelessly. Products used as seed dressing reached water courses through leaching through the soil. These chemicals bio-accumulate and affect otters when body fats are re-absorbed in times of cold or food shortage. They can both poison and cause sterility. These chemical began to be phased out over a ten year period beginning in 1975. They have a half-life of 25 years and otter autopsies now show that these have significantly declined from the environment (Simpson 1998).

Water Quality & Fish Stocks

Water quality has improved steadily in recent years, driven to a large extent by The Environment Agency’s Local Environment Agency Plans (LEAPS) since they were designed to quantify improvements in both chemical and biological quality. Fish stocks are generally good, certainly providing adequate food for otters, on all the Surrey rivers. In fact, the River Mole has the most diverse range of fish of any English river. (references required)

Polychlorinated BiphenylsPolychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

These are a family of substances which are good electrical insulators. They are dioxin-like and are considered harmful in the environment since they can cause liver damage. PCBs may occur as contaminants in oil filled electrical equipment and, in the context of the riparian environment, tend to be found in river sediments. Most uses were banned in 1986 and agreement was reached to phase them out by 2000. However, they, tend to bioaccumulate, do not degrade easily, are generally present at low concentrations in fat-containing foods such as fish and still present a considerable threat to otters (Simpson 1998).

Continued development within the county for housing, industry and roads.

Under the plans for Surrey issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), 478,000 extra homes will be required by 2026. In Surrey 2,360 new homes should be built per annum (DETR 1999).

Road traffic density.

Surrey’s “A” roads average in excess of 22,800 vehicles per day compared with the national average of 12,000 vehicles per day. (Department for Transport 2005). Road casualties are a major factor in inhibiting and slowing otter recovery (Grogan et al 2001)

Electrification of railway lines.

Most of Surrey’s rail network is electrified although some routes still operate diesel trains.

Leisure use of the countryside.

Within the countryside, recreational use of rivers, canals and standing open water bodies for both boating and fishing is popular. Leisure use of towpaths and riverside walks is not only popular but is encouraged as a healthy way to enjoy the wildlife.

Stillwater Fisheries.

Gravel extraction has been extensively carried out in Surrey since the second world war and many worked-out pits are now run as stillwater fisheries. Carp fishing is very popular and large (30lb+) fish are extremely valuable. As otters are capable of catching these there will be a conflict of interest once otters return to the county.

4. CURRENT ACTION

The Surrey Wildlife Trust Otters & Rivers Project aims to address the issues raised in section 3.

The national survey is carried out every 5-7 years. This includes 2 x 50km grid squares in part of Surrey.

The Environment Agency, Surrey Wildlife Trust and The Wey Valley Project work together to protect and improve wetland habitat in Surrey, one of the key priorities identified for Europe (Foster-Turley et al 1990).

Habitat is taken into account under the DEFRA agri-environment schemes (Eades et al 2003).

Where possible, after consultation, underpasses and fences are incorporated in bridge improvement schemes undertaken by Surrey County Council.

Arrangements are in hand for autopsies to be carried out on road casualties to provide information on pollutant levels and other environmental inputs on dead otters.

Surveys are regularly carried out on the River Blackwater, River Wey and its tributaries by the Otters & Rivers Project Officer and a team of volunteers.

Habitat improvements in the form of artificial holts and scrub planting are regularly undertaken. To date 3 fencing schemes, 2 wildlife tunnels, 1 scrub planting and 28 artificial holts have been completed.

5. OBJECTIVES AND PROPOSED TARGETS

National targets:

• Maintain the current distribution of the otter throughout the UK.
• Expand the distribution of otters to achieve 85% occupancy of 10km squares by 2015.

Surrey Targets

REFERENCES:

Andrews, J., Rebane, M. (1994). Farming & Wildlife: A practical Management Handbook. RSPB. Sandy Beds..

Chanin, P., (1985). The Natural History of Otters. Christopher Helm. London.

Crawford, A., (2003). Fourth Otter Survey of England 2000-2002. Environment Agency. Bristol.

Department for Transport. Transport Statistics Bulletin: 2005. National Statistics. London.

DETR (1999) Housing in the South East. TSO The Stationery Office. London.

Eades, P., Bardsley, L., Giles, N., Crofts, A. (2003). The Wetland Restoration Manual. The Wildlife Trusts. Newark.

English Nature (1998) UK Biodiversity Group Tranche 2: Action Plans. Volumes 1 & 2. English Nature. Peterborough.

Foster-Turley, P., Macdonald, S., Mason, C., (1990). Otters: An Action Plan for their Conservation. IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group.

Grogan, A., Philcox, C., Macdonald, D., (2001). Nature Conservation and Roads: Advice in Relation to Otters. Wildcru. Oxford.

Lenton,E.J. , Chanin, P.R.F., Jefferies, D.J., (1980) Otter Survey of England 1977-79. Nature Conservancy Council. London

Simpson, V.R. (1998) A Post Mortem Study of Otters (Lutra lutra) Found Dead in South West England. R&D Technical Report W148. The Environment Agency. Bristol.

Strachan, R., Jefferies, D.J., (1996) Otter Survey of England 1991-1994. Vincent Wildlife Trust. London.

The Highways Agency. (1999). The Good Roads Guide. New Roads. Nature Conservation Advice in relation to Otters. Design Manual for Roads and Bridges HA81/99. HMSO. Norwich.

The Surrey Biodiversity Partnership. (1999). The Surrey Biodiversity Action Plan. Surrey Biodiversity partnership. Pirbright.

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING

Mott, N., (2005) Managing Debris in Woody Streams. Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. UK.

Rural Development Service, (2005). Entry Level Stewardship Handbook. DEFRA. London.

Rural Development Service, (2005). Higher Level Stewardship Handbook. DEFRA. London.

Shaw, R., (1999) Provisional Local Transport Plan 2000/1. Topic Strategies: Bridge Strengthening Strategy. Surrey CC. Kingston.

White, G.J. and Gilbert, J.C. (eds) (2003). Habitat Creation Handbook for the Minerals Industry. RSPB. Sandy.

Prepared by Chris Matcham, Otters & Rivers Project, Surrey Wildlife Trust, School Lane, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey, GU24 0JN. E-mail: chris.matcham@surreywt.org.uk August 2006

Actions

1. Policy & Legislation Action

2. Site Safeguard & Management

3. Species Management & Protection

4. Advisory

5. Research & Monitoring

6. Communication & Publicity