Andy Mather – “The Calderdale Otter Project”: A citizen science project monitoring the local fortunes of one of the UK’s most charismatic mammals.
Eurasian otters are apex predators in the freshwater ecosystems of the UK. However, as recently as 50 years ago they were all but extinct in England, with remaining populations confined to the southwest of England and the Welsh borders. Andy will talk about the biology and ecology of otters, the issues that caused their European decline, and about their ongoing recovery in the UK and how that may be impacted by current and future threats. He will then move on to the recent history of otter distribution in Calderdale and the creation of the Calderdale Otter Project and he’ll present the findings of their 2024 Calderdale wide otter distribution survey.
Andy is an Ecologist who is currently working to assess and reduce the impacts of renewable energy projects on wildlife populations. Otters are a personal favourite of his. He is interested in Geographic Information System mapping software and how it can be used in local citizen science projects to improve our knowledge of wildlife populations and aid local conservation.
The venue, as usual, is Cutgate Baptist Church. Members £3 per meeting, Non-Members £4 per meeting. Tea, coffee, and cake available – please make a donation towards cost. There is parking on the Cutgate shopping precinct and the Norden bus stops near the church. The meetings start at 7.30pm and end around 9.30pm, but we are always needing members to help with setting up the room and tidying up afterwards, so if you can spare a few minutes just come a bit early or stay behind afterwards.