A Passionate Guide to Spotting Wild Otters in the UK

My Own Obsession: The Long Search for a Mythical Creature

I have an obsession with otters, specifically the UK’s native European otter. For the longest time, I was convinced they were mythical creatures, like unicorns.

My fascination was only amplified by my time working at a local wildlife organisation, where I’d hear incredible stories and see photographic proof from colleagues and the public, yet my own searches proved fruitless.  

I spent countless hours in hides overlooking the lakes of Lower Moor nature reserve on the Wiltshire/Gloucestershire border, hoping for just a glimpse.

I knew the signs—their fishy-smelling droppings, known as spraint, and their dens, called holts—but the animals themselves remained elusive.

Their nocturnal nature meant they were most active at dawn and dusk, but even with this knowledge, my quest continued without success.

They were ghosts in the landscape, and my belief in their mythical status only grew.

How to See Otters: Reading the Signs and Mastering the Art of Patience

The Otter Watcher’s Code: A Guide to Responsible and Ethical Viewing

Seeing a wild otter is a privilege, and with that privilege comes a profound responsibility to ensure their well-being.

Otters are a legally protected species in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, and it is an offence to disturb them. Adhering to a strict ethical code is not just good practice; it is a legal and moral imperative.  

The Golden Rules of Otter Spotting

This code of conduct, synthesized from the expert guidance of conservation trusts, ensures that your presence does not harm the animals you seek to admire.

Prioritise Otter Welfare Above All: The single most important rule is that the animal’s safety and well-being come first.

As the UK Wild Otter Trust advises, “Never put a photograph, film clip, or personal experience before the welfare of the otter“. A fleeting glimpse or a blurry photo is not worth causing stress or altering an animal’s natural behaviour.  

Keep Your Distance and Stay Quiet: Otters are wary creatures with an excellent sense of hearing and smell. Always stay downwind to prevent them from catching your scent.

Move slowly and quietly, and use binoculars to observe from a respectful distance. If an otter changes its behaviour—for example, if it stops feeding and repeatedly looks in your direction—you are too close and have likely disturbed it. In this case, you must leave the area quietly and immediately.  

Leave No Trace: This principle applies to all wildlife watching. Take all litter home with you. Discarded items like plastic can holders, fishing line, and empty bags can cause serious injury and death to otters and other wildlife.

If you suspect a watercourse is polluted, report it to the Environment Agency immediately.  

The Cardinal Sin: NEVER Bait Otters: It is absolutely crucial to never leave food out to attract otters.

Baiting is incredibly harmful; it habituates them to humans, can alter their natural hunting patterns, and may be detrimental to their health. This practice is universally condemned by conservation organizations.  

Protect Their Homes: Don’t Share Specific Holt Locations: While it is exciting to find a place where otters are regularly seen, you must resist the urge to share precise locations of their holts (dens) or resting places on public social media or forums.

This information can fall into the wrong hands, leading to intentional disturbance or persecution. It is acceptable to name a general nature reserve or a stretch of river, but never pinpoint an active holt.

UK Otter Hotspots: A Regional Guide to the Best Sighting Locations

The return of the otter is one of the UK’s greatest conservation success stories. After being driven to near-extinction by river pollution and pesticide use in the mid-20th century, their numbers have rebounded thanks to improved water quality and legal protection.

Otters can now be found in every county in England, as well as throughout Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. While a sighting is never guaranteed, the following locations offer some of the best opportunities to see them in the wild.

You can check for information too on the Wildife Trust. 

And if your travels take you further afield, otters can even be spotted on trails in North America, like the Mclane Creek Nature Trail.

Understanding Our Native Otter: Key Facts and Conservation

The otter found in the UK is the Eurasian otter, known scientifically as Lutra lutra. These semi-aquatic mammals are perfectly adapted to a life in and around water.

Their dense, waterproof fur keeps them warm, while their long, streamlined bodies and powerful tails (or “rudders”) make them agile swimmers.

They live in dens known as holts, which are often found in cavities amongst tree roots on a riverbank or in other secluded holes.  

While their diet consists mostly of fish, otters are opportunistic predators and will also eat amphibians, crustaceans, insects, birds, and even small mammals.

They are a vital part of our wetland ecosystems. The presence of otters is often considered an indicator of a healthy, clean river system.  

Globally, the Eurasian otter is listed as “Near Threatened” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

In the UK, their population is now recovering after a dramatic decline in the 20th century caused by the widespread use of organochlorine pesticides, which accumulated in their fish prey and led to reproductive failure.

Thanks to bans on these harmful chemicals, improved water quality, and dedicated conservation efforts, otters are now making a welcome return to waterways across the country.  

A Christmas Miracle: My First Wild Otter Sighting

After my fruitless searches in Wiltshire, I moved to Hampshire and continued my quest at places like Rooksbury Mill local nature reserve in Andover and along the Rivers Anton and Test. Still, nothing. I had all but given up hope.  

And then, it happened. On Christmas Eve, of all days, I was walking behind a retail outlet in Andover when I saw a movement in a small stretch of the river.

At first, I thought it was a large brown trout. But then it surfaced properly, and there it was. An otter. Wild, free, and utterly oblivious to my presence.

It wasn’t in a pristine, remote nature reserve, but in a forgotten corner of a busy town. Christmas had come early for me.  

My Christmas Eve sighting was a moment I’ll never forget, and it proved that these magical creatures are out there, waiting for the patient and respectful observer.

Have you had your own magical otter sighting? Share your story and any local spotting tips in the comments below – but remember our ethical code and avoid sharing specific holt locations!

Further Reading:

• A Guide to Wildlife in Makasutu Forest, Gambia (Birds & Baboons)
• National Bison Range Of Montana, USA