A family of European Otters (Lutra lutra) have been spotted in the Bowood Lake. Otters will live wherever there is clean freshwater, the right food source and secluded areas of vegetation to rest and raise young. At Bowood we want to attract as much wildlife to the lake as possible and cater for as many species as possible. It is crucial that we continue to carefully manage this environment for these creatures to thrive.

As otters do not hibernate, they have to make changes to their habits during the colder conditions of winter. As their food source (fish, crustaceans, and small amphibians, mammals and birds) is less abundant they hunt more frequently during the day taking advantage of the warmer temperatures and save energy at night when the temperature is coldest.

Abe Unwin, Lord Lansdowne’s grandson, who spotted and filmed these otters at the north end of the Bowood lake, remarked.

”Over the past few years, I had heard from several fishermen that they had seen otters on the lake, but I'd never seen them myself (in 20+ years!). During lockdown, I often went down to the lake at first light in the hope of seeing an otter, but never spotted one despite seeing plenty of signs of them being here. Last Friday (6 December), I went down to fish and within two minutes of arriving at the edge of the lake I heard a splash, and saw one otter staring right at me. Five seconds later, another popped its head up above the surface of the lake. They both stared inquisitively, before disappearing back below the water. I was thrilled to have finally seen not one otter at Bowood, but two!”

To watch the clip click here: Watch Otters in Bowood