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Everyone seems to love otters, but they can be elusive, tending to be more active at night, particularly in rivers or other waterways.
However, if you keep your eyes peeled, there is a reasonable chance you might be lucky enough to see one in daytime whilst walking the Coastal Path. The abundant food on the shore and intertidal zone encourages otters to be active during the shorter hours of daylight at this time of year.
There were records of sightings from William Hunter early in January (between Ballantrae and Lendalfoot) and from Gillian Craig on the 19 Irvine harbour. Well done both ofyou!
Most of us probably grew up in times when otters had become scarce in all parts of the UK, apart from the NW fringes of Scotland. They had suffered over many decades from persecution, but thankfully, legal protection, along with reduced use of agricultural pesticides and cleaner rivers allowed their numbers to recover.
On the Ayrshire Coast they can be seen at many locations, including the Hunterston area, Stevenston Point, Doonfoot and Maidens. Have you come across them anywhere else on the coast? A clue to the fact that otters are around is finding their droppings or “spraint”. These are left in conspicuous locations to indicate to other otters the boundaries of a territory. Fresh spraint is black and tarry, composed mainly of fish bones, and with a not unpleasant smell (described as reminiscent of Jasmine tea).
There are many species of otter around the world. Our Eurasian (or European) Otter has a wide range across Europe and Asia and is even present in some parts of Africa. All otters are part of the larger Mustelid group of mammals (which includes weasels, stoats and badgers). The only likely confusion species for us to consider in Ayrshire is a non-native member of that group, the American Mink.
Mink are much smaller, have a pointed nose and are usually very dark, almost black. If seen swimming, they are said to swim higher, with a greater part of the back visible. Their droppings are rather smelly…apparently! Mink tend to stick to rivers inland, but have been seen on the coast in the last few years, including at Pow Burn, Doonfoot and Maidens.
Since they escaped from fur farms in the 1950’s, they have had devastating impacts on populations of ground nesting birds, salmon and most of all, Water Voles. We’d therefore be very interested in receiving more records of Otter or Mink to have a better understanding of the distribution of both species along the Ayrshire Coast. You can submit a sighting on iRecord with or without a photo, but if you are able to include a photo, that would be simply fantastic!
Fewer sightings on the Coastal Path this month. The only mammal recorded was a Fox, although it was rumoured that some Reindeer may have been spotted over Ardrossan towards the end of December.
Therefore, for the second month in a row one of our avian winter visitors is the “Sighting of the Month”, this time the Turnstone.
This small, stocky member of the Sandpiper family will be familiar to many walkers, being fairly widespread along the Ayrshire coast. They have a short bill, with short orange legs. The upper parts are a lovely ,mottled, chestnut brown and black, with the underparts white.
A group of 18 were spotted at Greenan Shore, foraging amongst the seaweed on the water’s edge. Their other favoured place is on rocky shores, where typically they will be seen in small groups, constantly active, turning small rocks to catch insects or small crustaceans.
It is estimated that the UK wintering population is down by just over 20% over the last 25 years.
Their breeding grounds are in the Arctic tundra, with populations from Norway, Iceland, Greenland and Canada arriving on our shoresat overlapping intervals. Hence the species can actually be seen almost year - round, but with peak numbers from September through to March. In Spring, most will make the long return journey, the Canadians, as always, especially keen to be home in time for the end of season ice hockey playoffs
There were over 30 recorded sightings on the Coastal Paththis month. Thanks to all those who contributed.
For the first time the majority of records were of birds. Perhaps not surprising as whilst plants, butterflies etc. take a back seat at this time of year we are lucky to see an influx of avian visitors, especiallyon the coast.
Some of these are categorised as “passage migrants” – leaving northern latitudes to escape winter, but only stopping temporarilybefore heading further south to warmer climes.
A second group are true “winter visitors” staying with us locally or moving around yet remaining within the UK until spring.
This includes Whooper Swans which start to arrive from Iceland in October, often declaring themselves by their trumpeting calls in flight. Mark Turnbull skilfully photographed a group over Barassie beach on 2nd November and this is our “Sighting of the Month”.
Well done Mark!
Roughly the same size as the more familiar Mute Swan, Whoopers have a completely different profile, with a long straight neck (compared to the S shaped curve our resident swans). As truly wild swans they are shy and appear to be on constant look-out, usually holding their heads high and horizontal. With closer views the forehead continues straight onto the bill, which is yellow with a black tip.
More than 4000 Whoopers spend the winter in Scotland. Though most commonly seen in groups on lowland farmland or lochs/reservoirs, they can also be spotted on sheltered bays on the coast, occasionally along with MuteSwans.
Families make their migration together. Cygnets therefore learn from their parents – when to migrate, the best route and where feeding sites are along the way. They stay with their parents over the winter and start their journey back to their breeding grounds anytime from mid-March onwards. Other records this month included the small waders Dunlinand Turnstone, the elegant Greenshank and the reptilian Red-throated Diver.
