Otters on Shetland

I've just returned from another great week on the Shetland Isles, and despite the difficult weather conditions in which our four man crew (Paul Hawkins, Martin Blow and Andy Lawson) battled against a strong westerly wind all week which turned gale force at times, there were still a good selection of birds to be found and seen (more about those another time) but the undoubted highlight of the trip was the discovery of an adult Otter and her two kits.

I've seen Otters on previous trips to the Islands, but typically these views have always been at some distance through bins - but this time it was on a whole new level. We discovered this family party hunting amongst the seaweed in the sheltered sea cove on the mainland at Burra Voe, so we carefully positioned ourselves behind the large rocks used as wave breaks to protect the road, and then for a short period we were amazingly watching the family at a range of about 15 meters as one of the kits called to the adult.

This was without doubt one of the best wildlife experiences I've had the pleasure in witnessing and photographing in the UK, and another reminder that visiting Shetland isn't just about the birds...