Otter

[Dick Dastardly]

but can I suggest you research just how you can make Signals a little more attractive to Mr Lutra?

 

Now wouldnt that be a nice solution!

[andy_youngs]

Now wouldnt that be a nice solution!

Yes it would be a nice solution, but I don't think it's going to happen. The problem being that don't think JV44 really understands the sort of habitats that signals thrive in.

 

As most know, I canoed the Waveney from source to mouth several years ago. On the second leg, we set about 4 crayfish traps along the way the night before in order to harvest the signals on the way down.

 

Traps were set at :

 

Bungay - river averages 20ft wide, slow flowing and clear: 3 signals caught

Wainford 3 bridges weir pool - river averages 25ft wide, downstream runs are still slow flowing and clear: 4 signals caught

Geldeston - navigation limit. River averages 30ft wide. 1ft tidal influence immediately downstream of this location: 6 signals caught immediately upstream of the tidal limit.

Worlingham - River averages 45ft wide. 2 - 3 ft tidal influence, fast, muddy flow. 12 signals caught close to a pumping outlet

 

We dined well that night, but we didn't see a white clawed crayfish on the whole trip. To be fair, I think they tend to favour the upper reaches, and we put in at the mid point of the river. But the lower and middle reaches are infested with signals, and no amount of otters is ever gonna clean them out. I'm sure it's a similar scenario on the Yare and the Bure

[Phone]

All,

 

I feel like I'm pounding my head on a stone wall. So, I looked it up again. I was right (also again - ha ha). Otter scat surveys blah blah blah - YOU READY?

 

73% crayfish

13% fish (up to 23% in the winter but they eat far less volumn)

 

Phone

 

Edit: Just in case, does everyone know that "scat" is dung, poop, chit, crap, manure, feces, solid waste?

Edited January 16, 2012 by Phone

[JV44]

Quote Andy Youngs

The problem being that don't think JV44 really understands the sort of habitats that signals thrive in.

 

Why is that then Andy ?? enlighten me .

Canoed on a few waterways myself so that can`t be it ,Crayfish traps yep used a few you aint the only one to travel/fish different waterways chap

Edited January 16, 2012 by JV44

[andy_youngs]

Is there any back up for the 73% claim? I just think that otters eat whatever's in front of them, and it depends where the sample comes from. After all, if its taken from a river in which the signals have eaten all the fish eggs ... not sure whether 'scat' is an offensive word, but would suggest we employ it in the capacity of the word s**t in future.

[andy_youngs]

Quote Andy Youngs

The problem being that don't think JV44 really understands the sort of habitats that signals thrive in.

 

Why is that then Andy ?? enlighten me .

Canoed on a few waterways myself so that can`t be it ,Crayfish traps yep used a few you aint the only one to travel/fish different waterways chap

I've no doubt that you've canoed a few waterways. The signal crayfish infest the lower reaches, and invade the upper reaches. The notion that otters would clean out the signals is fanciful. Why would they when they've got all those big juicy carp and barbel to feast on in the upper reaches?

[kirisute]

All,

 

I feel like I'm pounding my head on a stone wall. So, I looked it up again. I was right (also again - ha ha). Otter scat surveys blah blah blah - YOU READY?

 

73% crayfish

13% fish (up to 23% in the winter but they eat far less volumn)

 

Phone

 

Edit: Just in case, does everyone know that "scat" is dung, poop, chit, crap, manure, feces, solid waste?

Why don't you use "spraint" ? After all, that's the correct terminology for a piece of otter dung ;p

http://www.ivb.cz/folia/55/2/167-174.pdf

And it's just as easy to find evidence to contradict your case as well.....Although this survey was 98 to 03 possibly before the serious rise of the signal.

The fact is the argument is now simply heading in circles.

Edited January 16, 2012 by kirisute

[JV44]

I've no doubt that you've canoed a few waterways. The signal crayfish infest the lower reaches, and invade the upper reaches. The notion that otters would clean out the signals is fanciful. Why would they when they've got all those big juicy carp and barbel to feast on in the upper reaches?

 

Not on the Thames they dont Andy crays next to non existent lower down ,millions of the beggars upstream around Lechlade ,different waterways may vary face.

[Phone]

Andy,

 

In British parlayance TONNES! You're barking up the wrong tree. As a matter of policy I don't quote sources for this kind of stuff. If you are really interested you would have already looked on google. You may in the absence of any research on your part consider me an expert - otherwise look.

 

Phone

[andy_youngs]

The fact is the argument is now simply heading in circles.

Is it? I agree it's diverse. Maybe even challenging. Also perhaps, worthwhile?