Otter & Water Vole Surveys
Specialist surveys for semi-aquatic mammals along watercourses, ditches and riparian habitats.
What This Service Involves
When your site borders or includes watercourses, ditches, ponds or riparian habitat, a specialist survey for the two semi-aquatic mammals - the European otter (Lutra lutra) and the water vole (Arvicola amphibius) - may be required. These species and their shelters/resting places are legally protected, and our ecologists help you assess, map and manage any potential impacts.
The Species We Survey For
European Otter
Lutra lutra
Field signs include spraints (droppings), holts (dens), slides, footprints and feeding remains along riverbanks.
Water Vole
Arvicola amphibius
Field signs include burrows in banks, "lawns" of grazed vegetation, latrines, feeding stations and distinctive droppings.
Our Survey Process
Desk Study & Habitat Review
Assessing the presence of waterbodies, adjacent terrestrial habitat, connectivity, historic records and potential for otter or water vole use.
Walkover Survey
Checking the watercourse and banks for field signs such as spraints (otter droppings), holts, slides for otters; burrows, "lawns", latrines, feeding stations for water voles.
Seasonal Survey Visits (Water Voles)
For water voles, typically two survey visits at different times (e.g. mid-April to June and July to September) to establish presence/likely absence.
Detailed Survey Report
Summarising findings, assessing risk/impact of your proposed works, and recommending mitigation or licence-support if required.
Mitigation & Licence Support
If species or their resting/holts/burrows are present, we support you in mitigation strategy development, licence application (if needed) and integration of ecological measures into your project.
Why You Might Need an Otter/Water Vole Survey
- Watercourse proximity: Your site includes or is adjacent to a watercourse, pond, canal, ditch or wetland habitat, where otters or water voles may forage, shelter or breed.
- Bank works or habitat change: Your proposed development or land-use change involves bank works, culverting, drainage changes, vegetation clearance or earthworks near the watercourse, which could affect bankside habitat or burrows/resting places.
- Planning requirements: The local planning authority or ecological assessor requests evidence of otter/water vole assessment to support planning/consent.
- Early risk reduction: You want to reduce ecological risk early by understanding whether protected species constraints apply, rather than reacting late in the process.
What Our Survey Service Includes
- Licensed / experienced ecologist carrying out desk study and habitat suitability assessment.
- Field visit(s) to the watercourse and adjacent banks to search for signs of otter and/or water vole presence/likely absence.
- Mapping of any features of interest (holts, burrows, latrines, pathways, slides).
- Clear report with: survey methods and dates, findings, species status (if present/likely), impact assessment of proposed works, recommended avoidance/mitigation measures, and next steps (licence required, further survey etc).
- Practical advice for your design/planning team to integrate ecological findings into programme, layout and mitigation.
- Optional follow-up: licence support, detailed mitigation planning, monitoring.
Legislation, Policy & Good Practice
Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981
Protects water voles (Schedule 5) and otters from killing, injury and disturbance of their places of shelter.
Conservation of Habitats & Species Regulations 2017
Otters are European Protected Species (EPS) and additional licensing may apply for any works affecting them or their holts.
Good Practice Guidance
Survey timing windows for water voles (spring and summer) and optimal survey conditions for otters (when river levels are stable).
The Benefits to You
Early Certainty
Provides certainty early on whether otters or water voles may affect your site, enabling better design, budgeting and programme planning.
Stronger Submissions
Strengthens your planning submission or consent documentation with professional survey evidence.
Risk Management
Helps manage ecological and legal risk by ensuring you address protected species requirements rather than facing surprise constraints later.
Effective Mitigation
Supports effective mitigation or avoidance - saving potential cost and delay.