Otter: 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;
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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
• Identify, maintain or create a ‘lying-in’ site for every kilometre of watercourse.
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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

Otter Actions