Course convenor(s):
Mike Dean(CEnv MIEEM)

Date: 08/07/2009

Course length: 1 day

Venue: Cresswell Associates,
The Mill, Brimscombe
Port, Stroud, GL5 2QG

Course fee: £150
5% or 10% discount available if 2+ / 4+ courses are booked respectively

Outline:

This course provides an introduction to otter biology in the context of development projects, with particular reference to appropriate survey methodologies, habitat assessment and legislative protection. A field trip will demonstrate survey techniques and habitat assessment.

Further information:
Cresswell Associates
The Mill, Brimscombe Port
Stroud, GL5 2QG

T: +44 (0) 1453 731 231
F: +44 (0) 1453 888 797

Download a printable (pdf) copy of this page [here]

Download a booking form:
Word Format | PDF format

Target audience:
This course is aimed at those who wish to learn about the ecology of otters, survey techniques and relevant legislation.

Aims:

To provide:

• background information on otter biology so as to understand when, where and how surveys should be carried out
• information on otter survey techniques and habitat assessment
• background information on legislation relating to otters

To demonstrate:

• otter field survey techniques and habitat assessment in the field

Objectives:

At the end of the course you should be able to: 

• describe the life history and social organisation of otters, and how these influence when, where and how surveys for these species should be carried out
• identify otter field signs

• carry out habitat assessments for otters
• describe the legislation relating to otters

Course content:

Lectures

• Background biology of otters
• Otter status and distribution
• Current threats to otters
• Legislation
• Habitat assessment
• Survey methods
• Field signs

Fieldwork

Visits to nearby sites to identify field signs, practice survey techniques and carry out habitat assessment for otters.

Additional information/requirements:

An additional course on otters is available for those with existing experience of otter biology and survey techniques:

Otters (II): Legislation, Impact Assessment, and Mitigation.

A list of local accommodation is available on request.