Yesterday morning, (Saturday), Fran was walking our dog Bryn, along the red breakwater (inner) when she saw what at first looked like a seal but as it came closer an d to her delight, was easily identified as an Otter!
Forty years ago when I first arrived in West Wales, Geoff Lyle, the main local otter man had only ever seen occasional spraints (droppings), and identified footprints, but had never actually seen a live otter.
Over the intervening period they have returned from the brink of extiction in ever increasing numbers. Not exactly a common sight, but they are seen quite often. Although they are not marine mammals as such, they do frequent the sea shore, particularly after heavy rains when the rivers are swollen and dirty.
As such they are often reported as "Sea Otters" but that is another species which is genuinely a marine mammal spending all of its time in salt water where it feeds on clams. Sadly we dont get them here as they are only found in the coastal waters of the North Pacific.
Some anglers blame them for the decline in fish populations but agricultural pollution is a far worse problem.
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