On otter has been recorded on film at Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s Hickling Broad National Nature Reserve, as it visited an otter holt built in February by volunteers from Woodforde’s Brewery.The elaborate otter holt at
Hickling Broad, which Woodforde’s staff helped to construct, is designed to encourage
otters to breed, rest and play away from the water’s edge. Wood scrub provided naturally by the nature reserve was used to put it together.
Otters breed at Hickling Broad, although exact locations remain unknown. NWT staff hope the holt will be utilised for breeding, and that more footage of the otters and any cubs will be recorded. The camera used to film the otter was on loan from NWT’s major wetland restoration project in the Bure Valley Living Landscape and NWT now hopes to secure a permanent camera for the holt.
John Blackburn, Upper Thurne Warden for Norfolk Wildlife Trust, said: “It is fantastic to see an otter exploring the holt, and so quickly after it has been constructed. We want to say a huge thank you to Woodforde’s for their hard work in constructing the otter holt. It is promising to see the hard work having a positive effect on Norfolk’s wildlife.”
Woodforde’s has been supporting NWT since 2011 with its specially-brewed ale, ‘Once Bittern’. Every pint consumed has seen Woodforde’s pledge a donation to the Trust, raising almost £3,000 in 2011 and £2,250 in 2012. The money is used to protect and restore vital Broadland habitat, for bitterns and other Broads wildlife.
Dennis Nudd, Director of Woodforde’s commented: ‘’ We have been delighted to support the crucial work of the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. Donating money is relatively easy, but we were particularly pleased that members of our brewery team wanted to help in a construction project that has made a real contribution to preserving our county’s wildlife.’’