Elusive no more

I've dreamed of seeing a wild otter, so much so that many of holidays in the UK, particularly Scotland, have been to otter hotspots. I have had wonderful holidays visiting the islands of Skye, Arran, Islay, Jura, Bute and Mull and also the west coast of Scotland, including the Cowal Peninusula and Loch Melfort. Most of these places are otter hotspots but sadly, I was not fortunate to see them.

I had heard tales of otters being spotted in my local area, particularly along the river Aire in Saltaire, literally just over a mile up the road from me. I have walked along its banks countless times and never seen one. There is plenty of wildlife to see, kingfishers, cormorant, herons to name but a few but the otter always evaded me, until now.

I felt that surely my time must come pretty soon, it has been a tough year so far, losing my dear auntie in early January and I was desperately in need of a boost of nature's medicine. A dear friend of mine's niece had recently spotted a pair on the Aire just at the bridge in Robert's Park, Saltaire. Naturally, the next available moment I had, I dashed up and waited about for my chance to spot them and nothing! I went home feeling rather deflated.

Otters on the Aire in Saltaire. Video courtesy of Annie Tearne.

It wasn't until 31st January that I decided to take the bike out for a spin, being quite a nice morning, which made a pleasant change of late, it has been as very damp and miserable start to 2026. I had only cycled about 10 minutes and noticed a gathering of folk along the bank of the canal between Shipley and Saltaire. There was some kind of activity under the water from the ripples and bubbles I could see on the surface and I assumed it was the cormorant which I have seen a number of times along this stretch of the canal. Them, suddenly, a little head popped up. I could not believe what I was seeing. I quickly placed my bike on the ground and excitedly got my phone to record this magical animal. All these years travelling to otter hotspots and I see my first one on my local patch, a mile from my home.

I spent a good while watching it and quite a crowd had gathered, the otter did not seem at all camera shy and was happy to pose for us and was really quite close to us. Eventually, I decided to recommence my morning cycle ride, heading to to Five Rise Locks at Bingley, giving my legs a good workout.

Showing off for the camera outside the Regus building, canalside, Shipley.

Plenty of food to be had

A close encounter

I cycled back the same way for my return journey, not expecting to see it again but low and behold, there is was, calmly swimming around and diving for food, still not phased by me being in such close proximity.

There was certainly no shortage of food, each time it resurfaced it was munching away on either a fish or crustacean. After a good half and hour it disappeared, not to be seen again. That was it I thought, my one day where I was lucky enough to see an otter in the wild and probably a one off. How wrong I was.

More displaying

I returned to the canal the next day, hoping to see it again, same spot as the previous day and nothing. I waited around for quite a while and then decided to call it a day, convinced that the previous day was indeed a one-off.

Not long after me turning around, a jogger in front of me came to an abrupt stop, phone pointing at the water, there it was, calmly going about its day, not at all bothered about its audience. I could not believe my luck, two days in a row. The location that day was behind where the old cinema/bingo hall used to be before it burned down. This location is also quite close to a busy main road and there is quite a lot of rubbish in the canal but the otter did not seem to mind this and was still finding stuff to munch on.

The water quality, despite its appearance and clutter must be quite considerably clean I think to be able to support an otter and for it to be able to find food. The otter population in the UK is said to be around 11,000 with strongholds being Scotland and Wales. We have, thankfully, seen a healthy return of these wonderful creatures due to improvements in water quality and the introduction of legislation to outlaw hunting and chemical releases into waterways. During the 1950's and 60's otters were at the brink of extinction in the UK now we are experiencing a resurgence and otters can be spotted on all British river systems, rural or urban. It really is a wildlife success story.

A few of my friends have now also spotted the otter along the same stretch of canal and I am convinced that it is the same one, always solo and never camera shy but who knows. I was speaking to a man just today (yes I have been out spotting again!) and he believes it to be a juvenile as the adults would probably be in pairs.

Today was the first time in a good while the sun has made an appearance, although at the time of typing, it has vanished from the sky again. I took advantage of the good conditions and headed out. Third time lucky, the sole otter was indeed doing its thing and I managed to get some great recordings of it. Another joyful experience.

Today in the canal outside Switch2, close to Salts Mill, Saltaire.

I am hoping that this will be a regular thing now, each time I have been out I have seen it. Today's sighting was initially outside the Switch2 building and then I followed it as it swam up towards Salts Mill where it was curiously inspecting the rusty old water pipes.

History and nature together

I cannot tell you enough how much finally seeing otters in the wild, especially on my local patch, has filled me with happiness. This wonderful creature is now added to my list of the amazing spectacles of nature we have on our doorstep. Head out soon to your local canal or river and keep your eyes peeled. Even if you do not spot one, look out for clues, their sprint (or droppings), footprints or left over nibbled fish or crustaceans.

Happy spotting!

This blog is dedicated to my lovely auntie Edith, thank you for love and kindness. Rest in Peace.

All photos/videos Copyright Lee Edwards 2026 unless otherwise indicated.