OTTER SURVEY OF COUNTY LONGFORD: 12-19 APRIL 2008

Project Supervisor:  Dr Paul Yoxon 

The Project

Otters are semi-aquatic members of the family Mustelidae.  As they use both land and aquatic habitats they are very important biological and environmental indicators.   

The Eurasian Otter is the only otter species found in Europe and its range formerly extended from the Arctic to the Mediterranean and from Ireland in the west to the eastern seaboard of Asia. However, numbers are now seriously depleted in most of Europe. 

IOSF has been working with the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to animals (ISPCA) since 2005 and help them to develop Ireland’s first otter sanctuary, which Paul was honoured to open in March 2007.  During this time it was noted that official otter surveys have not been undertaken for at least 10 years and we wanted to come up with accurate data on otter distribution in County Longford.

The aim of the ISPCA is to prevent cruelty to animals, to promote animal welfare and to relieve animal suffering in Ireland. The Society supports the aims of similarly minded animal welfare bodies throughout the world.

County Longford is one of the loveliest of the Irish midland counties, and lies in the Shannon basin and upper catchment area of the River Erne. Longford is famous for its excellent fishing so there is clearly plenty of food for otters.  

Attractions in Longford include the heritage village of Ardagh, built in the 1860s to a Swiss design, and the recently discovered Old Bog Road, an Iron Age trackway of large oak planks in a bog at Corlea. The true beauty of Longford lies in its pleasant views - it is a quiet countryside of farmlands, bog and the occasional low hill. An ideal spot for a get-away-from-it-all relaxing break.

County Longford shown in green.

Methods

For anyone who has come on our Hebridean island surveys this will be totally different as we are dealing with freshwater otters.  We will therefore be looking for spraints under bridges etc, following rivers , surveying canals and lakes, and recording everything using GPS.  Spraint samples will collected for later analysis of diet. 

In order to take part in this survey it is necessary to have previous experience of otter surveying and be physically fit.  Although we will try to see otters in the wild it is far more difficult in freshwater systems – we are very spoilt on the West Coast of Scotland as our otters are not nocturnal!

Accommodation

We are staying in Melview Lodge (www.Melview lodge.com) on a B&B only basis.  They do offer an evening meal or you may like to take the short walk to Longford town, which has various places to eat.

Rendezvous

Melview Lodge.  However there will be a vehicle coming from Belfast airport and possibly another one from Dublin, so if you need a lift please ask at the time of booking.

How to get there:

Travel to Ireland is not included as there are so many ways to travel, according to where you live:

By air:  You may fly to Dublin or Belfast.

By sea.  You can sail from

Cairnryan

Fishguard

Fleetwood

Heysham

Hollyhead

Liverpool (Birkenhead)

Liverpool (Seaforth)

Pembrooke

Stranraer

Swansea

Troon

Medical Advice

There is a chemist and doctor in Longford and there is also a hospital with casualty unit in the town.  Volunteers should also inform IOSF at the time of booking if there are any medical conditions, which may effect their participation in the project. 

Field Communication

Volunteers can be contacted via the Melview Lodge – 00353 043 45061

Field Supplies

Volunteers MUST bring the following items: 

*   Waterproof Jacket and Trousers

*   Wellington Boots or Walking Boots

*   Warm clothing including hats and gloves

*   Binoculars

*   Small Rucksack for day use only

*   Personal medication and First Aid Kit

Price:  £445

Price includes:

7 nights’ bed and breakfast only at Melview Lodge

All transport whilst in Longford

All equipment necessary (except personal binoculars and items in “Field Supplies” above)