26/05/2026
Otter Monitoring and Habitat Connectivity
We recently supported the Restore the Thaw Landscape Project, in partnership with Vale of Glamorgan Council, by delivering an otter monitoring programme across the River Thaw catchment.
Over two survey phases, we deployed wildlife cameras across 24 locations to better understand how otters are moving through the landscape, particularly around bridges, culverts and key crossing points. The survey aimed to identify how these features are being used and where improvements could support wildlife movement.
The project brought a range of practical challenges, from coordinating access across multiple private landholdings to managing equipment over consecutive six-week deployments, alongside adapting to occasional technical issues in the field. Careful planning and regular site visits were key to keeping the programme running smoothly.
Otter activity was recorded at eight sites, helping identify important movement corridors and areas where targeted improvements could make a real difference. The cameras also captured a variety of other species, including kingfisher, water rail, grey heron, fox and weasel, highlighting the wider ecological value of the river corridor.
The findings will help inform future habitat enhancement work across the Vale of Glamorgan, including practical measures to improve crossing opportunities beneath roads and reduce mortality risks for otters and other wildlife.
A brilliant project to support, contributing important baseline data that will help shape long-term conservation and landscape improvements across the area.
To read the case study in full please visit: https://tinyurl.com/munta9jt
