Otter: Action Plan
What we want to achieve - Key objectives
- Raise awareness of the need to support Otter returning to the rivers Don and Dearne and encourage participation in this support
- Carry out surveys, record signs and sightings of Otter, and submit records to the Barnsley Biological Record Centre
- Monitor rivers and appropriate sites for signs and sightings of Otter
- Determine the distribution of evidence of Otter across Barnsley
- Review the extent and condition of riparian habitat for Otter.
- Restore, improve and maintain suitable habitats for Otter at appropriate distances along river systems
- Be ready to designate sites as Local Wildlife Sites for Otter.
Roles:
Land and waterbody owners and managers: follow best practice in managing rivers and streams, their banks, and neighbouring open water, wetlands and wet woodlands, to support Otters.
Wildlife conservation bodies: give advice and provide practical support for habitat management for Otters.
Barnsley Council as planning authority:
- ensures otter is protected through the planning process
- takes into consideration records of Otter presence in the planning process
- sets conditions in relevant planning applications to ensure that relevant habitats are maintained and enhanced;
Natural England:has Standing Advice on the protection of Otter and issues appropriate licences.
Voluntary groups and volunteers:
- help with information about the condition of sites that could support Otter
- provide records of sightings and signs of Otter
- help with measures to support Otter, eg: Otter holts, habitat management.
What is being done
- Surveys for signs of Otter and potential habitat enhancement for Otter
- River Dearne 2005 YWT
- Upper River Don 2007
- Artificial Hlolts: Old Moor
- Riparian mammal project. YWT NIA 2012-15
- Additional surveys for signs of Otter
- Additional Otter holts installed
Proposed Actions
- Raise awareness of the potential for the return of the Otter to Barnsley
- Additional surveys for signs of Otter
- Review riparian habitat for Otter and identify, maintain or create a ‘lying-in’ site for every kilometre of watercourse.
Marking Progress
- Sites with conservation measures undertaken to support Otter
- Increased number of signs or sightings of Otter in Dearne and Don
- Otter breeding in Barnsley
