Was this an otter?

olly_mac

Hi all,

Maybe you can help me out here. I was crossing the Liffey at Heuston this morning and spotted what may have been an otter in the river just beside the quay wall at the railway station side. I just got a fleeting glimpse as I was on the Luas. The animal appeared to be rolling around in the water, much as a dog would do in a puddle, if you catch my drift. Are there reports of otter in the city? I have seen them in Galway/Mayo before, so that is why I assume it was one.

Thanks.

snowstreams

yeah there have been a good few sightings of otters in the liffey lately.
Check this thread out. They seem to be down near the IFSC mostly.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=59110610

olly_mac

Ah, cheers for that link!! I should have looked for a thread ! I shall be watching out more often now!!

OpenYourEyes

Roughly what time of the morning did you see it? As a matter of interest

cscook

Lucky you - I'm envious. Ever since reading the reports last year, especially when someone mentioned the Civil Defense compound I've been keeping a sharp eye out, especially when the tide is low, with no joy at all.

olly_mac

OpenYourEyes wrote: »

Roughly what time of the morning did you see it? As a matter of interest

It was between 10.15 and 10.20 hrs I would say. The tide was on the ebb I think, so I wonder if it was fishing?

olly_mac

cscook wrote: »

Lucky you - I'm envious. Ever since reading the reports last year, especially when someone mentioned the Civil Defense compound I've been keeping a sharp eye out, especially when the tide is low, with no joy at all.

Well, I saw this one just a little bit upstream from there, so keep looking out and i am sure you will spot one !

Thanks again folk.

olly_mac

I saw possibly the same otter again this morning, at around 9.30. It was running across a mud bank which is visible at low tide... a woman happened to see it too but thought it was a giant rat, and nearly freaked out!!

dodderangler

Mink perhaps

cuddlycavies

Nope, more likely to be an otter there. There are frequent sightings of them from Islandbridge down to IFSC and around to Grand Canal Quay. Even Dolphins Barn.

kylith

I've seen them in Dolphin's Barn. When I got level with where it was it went underwater and popped up about 10" downstream. When I got there it went back to its original location, so I went back there and it went back downstream again. We went back and forth like that for a couple of minutes . It definitely wasn't afraid of me of or my dogs; it just seemed interested and kind of like it was playing. Definitely one of the best experiences of my life.

I think I've seen one at Heuston too. I wouldn't be surprised; the Liffey is full of fish.

older i get better i was

saw one at sean heuston bridge, last wk at 4am, defo an otter.