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Norfolk mammals (5 Viewers)
- Thread starter Lightthiscandle
- Start date
Archie Opteryx
Well-known member
Archie Opteryx
Well-known member
You make that sound easy! This shot is about as good as I got of it's front, I'm assuming that the buffy hints are not enough to call it a yellow neck....
I don't know much about mouse ID
Viv Connett
Well-known member
For anyone who isn't sick and tired of Otter photos there are some on my flickr site
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseabirderpics/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelseabirderpics/
A large adult dog Otter killed [R.T.A] on the Wissington factory road outside Wereham overnight, The road is surrounded by open farmland and is at least a mile and half from the new cut river, so it seems Otters travel extensively away from water during the hours of darkness.
robinchittenden
Award winning wildlife photographer, writer, tour
Hi Robin,
Lovely photo. What size are we talking? Flight pattern? Amongst trees or open ground? I have my suspicions but could do with a few details.
Cheers,
Jim.
Bat i/d is not straightforward from such photos Robin but if it was small it was almost certainly a pipistrelle - the profile and coloration are consistent with both spp (common & soprano) which are our commonest bats. To seperate these two you'd need a detector or to see them in the hand.
James H
James H
robinchittenden
Award winning wildlife photographer, writer, tour
Bat
Thanks for your replies. It was pretty small, flying erratically at height of about 20 meters by tall trees with open grass areas ie to west of the Nuns' Bridges in Thetford.
Thanks
Robin
Thanks for your replies. It was pretty small, flying erratically at height of about 20 meters by tall trees with open grass areas ie to west of the Nuns' Bridges in Thetford.
Thanks
Robin
antshrike69
Well-known member
I visited the Thetford otters today - thanks for help with directions to those responsible the views were indeed incredible.
While I was there, photographers were luring the animal with fish strategically placed on the bank and an otter was brazenly approaching to within 2 feet of the crowd. Can this be a good idea? Otters are powerful animals and if a child gets bitten then PR in the town will be a major issue. The paths are used by lots of dog walkers too, and 'tame' otters are likely to come into conflict with dogs and/or cars. Is the feeding a recent development? Or something that has been going on for some time? I did feel quite uneasy by the behavious of those on-site.
the views were indeed incredible.While I was there, photographers were luring the animal with fish strategically placed on the bank and an otter was brazenly approaching to within 2 feet of the crowd. Can this be a good idea? Otters are powerful animals and if a child gets bitten then PR in the town will be a major issue. The paths are used by lots of dog walkers too, and 'tame' otters are likely to come into conflict with dogs and/or cars. Is the feeding a recent development? Or something that has been going on for some time? I did feel quite uneasy by the behavious of those on-site.
Mark Batten
Well-known member
As somebody who was very keen that these otters should be seen by a wider audience, perhaps I made a rash decision. Oh why oh why do people do this. There is no need to:cat:
Dawn Balmer
Well-known member
I visited the Thetford otters today - thanks for help with directions to those responsible
While I was there, photographers were luring the animal with fish strategically placed on the bank and an otter was brazenly approaching to within 2 feet of the crowd. Can this be a good idea? Otters are powerful animals and if a child gets bitten then PR in the town will be a major issue. The paths are used by lots of dog walkers too, and 'tame' otters are likely to come into conflict with dogs and/or cars. Is the feeding a recent development? Or something that has been going on for some time? I did feel quite uneasy by the behavious of those on-site.
There is a thread on the Thetford Otters here http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=251619
I believe a photographer ignored a request from a local birder who asked if they would stop feeding the otters yesterday. It is a recent development by visiting photographers. Local people are trying to discourage this but it is falling on deaf ears.
Viv Connett
Well-known member
Hmm if people are hand feeding them and lose the odd finger will that give the Otters a taste for human flesh as well as the chickens they seem to be enjoying?
Have sat on the bank and had great shots of them, agree some people do chase them around but to be fair, they seem to be great show offs and there are areas where they can (and do!) disappear if they need a break.
Have sat on the bank and had great shots of them, agree some people do chase them around but to be fair, they seem to be great show offs and there are areas where they can (and do!) disappear if they need a break.
I had hoped the feeding of the otters would stay off of BF but 2 threads running with the news seems to make that highly unlikely. I fear that even negative comments about it will simply put the idea into the heads of others who are yet to visit, rather than discourage them.
The initial photographer (to my knowledge anyway) who fed the otters was feeding trout away from the crowds and ahead of the otters path to try to avoid associating food with humans. Sadly, others have since caught on and I've have seen people throwing sprats at the otters like some sort of performing seal!!! The "initial photographer" is now discouraging people from feeding the otters when he is on site. If enough people do this then hopefully it will bring an end to the feeding (it's been about 2 weeks now which is too long for my liking).
As Viv says, the otters do frequent areas where they are undisturbed and the fact that they keep returning to public areas suggests they aren't overly bothered by being followed around - at times they even seem to enjoy the occasional dramatic splash!
Enjoy the amazing views if you go but please don't take any fish with you, you really don't need it!!!
Chris
The initial photographer (to my knowledge anyway) who fed the otters was feeding trout away from the crowds and ahead of the otters path to try to avoid associating food with humans. Sadly, others have since caught on and I've have seen people throwing sprats at the otters like some sort of performing seal!!! The "initial photographer" is now discouraging people from feeding the otters when he is on site. If enough people do this then hopefully it will bring an end to the feeding (it's been about 2 weeks now which is too long for my liking).
As Viv says, the otters do frequent areas where they are undisturbed and the fact that they keep returning to public areas suggests they aren't overly bothered by being followed around - at times they even seem to enjoy the occasional dramatic splash!
Enjoy the amazing views if you go but please don't take any fish with you, you really don't need it!!!
Chris
Mark Batten
Well-known member
So the man (I presume its a man) who started feeding at the zoo is telling others not to do it! Do as I say not as I do! Local
NoSpringChicken
Well-known member
Bearing in mind that a representative from Springwatch was asking for information about the Thetford Otters here recently, I suspect that there will be even more people visiting them if they are still around in a few weeks.
Ron
Ron
Mark Batten
Well-known member
Hmmm, everyone makes a rash decision from time to time Mark
Personally, I am grateful the photographer is now discouraging others from feeding the otters. Hopefully others will do likewise.
Hmmm. You might have a point Chris
Would not waste trout on luring Otters though:cat:
