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New Cameras Record Otters at Winchester City Mill

New CCTV cameras and motion detectors installed at the National Trust's Winchester City Mill are helping to prove that otters are alive and well on the River Itchen and that at least one otter visits Winchester regularly, mostly in the dead of night. The cameras, introduced by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust in partnership with the Environment Agency, were triggered no less than 32 times in October. Information on the latest otter sightings is now available to the mill's visitors and a continuous video facility shows the nocturnal creatures passing through the historic building.

New automatic cameras, triggered by movement sensors, were installed at Winchester City Mill in September this year. Cameras had been tried successfully at this location some years ago, but these were removed and there has been a gap of at least 6 years when no filming has been possible.

Introduced by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust in partnership with the Environment Agency, the new cameras were soon in action recording otters as they passed through the mill, mostly in the hours of darkness although one early visitor was filmed at 6.58pm. During the month of October, no fewer than 32 sightings were made and experts from the Wildlife trust are now busy studying the footage to determine how many different otters have appeared.

National Trust volunteer miller Chris D'Arcy and his son Robin have taken responsibility for patiently editing the recordings which are triggered by many other moving insects, waterfowl and animals which come into view. With their help the otter sightings have been identified.

The National Trust's Visitor Services Coordinator Bob Goodwin said,

"Visitors to the mill are fascinated by this constant otter watch and the frequency with which otters visit such a busy city. The video we can now show, with its captioned film clips, is a real favourite with people of all ages".

The mill is open for visitors daily until 22nd December and also for 'Milling in the New Year' on 1st January. Staff and volunteers will be delighted to share the latest news on the otters with visitors.

Graham Roberts, Water for Wildlife Officer at the Wildlife Trust said

"This is a really exciting facility helping to monitor the otter population on the River Itchen and it is fantastic to have such positive results already"

Click here for more information about Winchester City Mill>>

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Press Contacts: Winchester City Mill: Bob Goodwin or Glenda Willis
Tel 01962 870057
Hampshire & IoW Wildlife Trust: Hilary Mould-Ryan
Tel 01489 774411