Otter holt constructed at Manchester Airport

25/02/2009 10:43:48 February 2009. Wildlife experts have teamed up to help build Cheshire's otters a safer home at Manchester Airport this week, as part of the Cheshire region Otter Biodiversity Action Plan. Although otter numbers are starting to increase in the region since their decline in the 1970s, they still rely on the helping hands of conservationists to make up for the lack of natural breeding sites.

Road casualties
Road casualties and pesticides are amongst a long list of factors, which have contributed to the otters' demise over the years, and although Cheshire has a wealth of waterways, the otter population is still lower than would be expected. The species is currently listed in the International Union for the Conservation of Natures' (IUCN) Red Book as 'vulnerable to extinction'.

Artificial holt at Manchester Airport
Now, thanks to a partnership containing Manchester Airport, Cheshire Wildlife Trust, the Riparian Mammal BAP Group, Cheshire Region Biodiversity Partnership and the Forestry Commission who have worked on the artificial holt, the future seems brighter for the vulnerable species.

The team spent a day building the artificial otter holt on the edge of the airport to support the species as it passes through the area, both as a resting place and as a possible breeding area. The holt has been sited at a secret location away from human disturbance and will be monitored on a regular basis. The holt was constructed using timber supplied by the Forestry Commission, who also helped to build it.

The underground chamber holt will be hardly visible from the ground, but will be monitored for activity under the artificial holt monitoring regime.

The initial idea for the otter holt came from the Manchester Airport, who as part of their commitment to support biodiversity around the airport, wanted to provide a resting opportunity for otters in the area. The airport identified the site along help from the Environment Agency, and supplied the contractor and materials. Members of the Riparian Mammal BAP collected the materials and carried out the construction.

An otter's diet mainly consists of fish but can also include birds, insects, frogs, crustaceans and sometimes other small mammals.

To find out more about the Cheshire region Otter Biodiversity Action Plan visit www.cheshire-biodiversity.org.uk