Positive Actions for Rivers and Burns

Building an otter holtTrees and tall plants along riversides provide cover and shelter for lots of creatures, such as otters, as well as attracting insects for fish like salmon and trout to eat. It's important that these plants are allowed to grow, and fencing riversides off from sheep, deer, goats and cattle helps to ensure they are not grazed away. Northumberland National Park Authority is working with landowners all over our National Park to identify important stretches of rivers and burns to fence for this reason.

Fencing large grazing animals away from river banks not only lets plants grow. It also prevents the banks from being trampled. Too much trampling churns up mud and silt, which damages some fragile wildlife. For example, salmon eggs need to be laid on gravel if they are to hatch successfully. If the gravel is covered with silt, it ruins the traditional spawning ground. Local people with an interest in fishing have been working with landowners to make sure important fishing areas are protected.

Otter populations crashed last century, mainly as a result of polluted water. To encourage these beautiful creatures to stay in the area, Northumberland National Park staff and volunteers have built otter holts. Pipes lead from the river and into the bank into a den made of concrete blocks. Otters need lots of these holts to rest and breed and raise their young in. River banks and these new homes are surveyed regularly to check where the otters are living.