Shetland Otters

These are photos of Otters I happened across as I walked around the Shetland coastline. They have been taken on a compact camera. I have left in many long range photos as this is usually the first views an inexperienced Otter watcher will get. Hopefully it will give first time walkers a taste of what to look for. The Otters seem to be more active hunting with lower tides, I suspect this is because it gives them easier access to more seaweed beds where the majority of their prey hide, shallower diving distance, thus more efficient use of effort. I find that I see more when the wind is blowing on shore as they can't detect me with their keen sense of smell. Other tips are to try and stay off the sky line and be quiet. When they dive for prey I find that you usually have about a twenty second window when you can try to get closer to a better view point. I generally find that along the lower lying coastline I see an otter every second or third walk. The most I have encountered on one walk was 9. If you were looking specifically for Otters there are hotspots where you would be practically guaranteed to see them. I have also included some old otter traps that were used to catch otters in the not to distant past.

Old Otter Traps

 Another Old Otter Trap with hole to shoot otter through once trapped.

Otter Trap Remains

Another old trap

More old traps

Old Traps

Remains of a trap