Otter and water vole surveys to inform river restoration at a private estate in Hampshire

Otter and water vole surveys to inform proposed landscaping and river restoration works along the River Meon, confirming current species absence and identifying appropriate survey safeguards for future works.

The project

The project involved a stretch of the River Meon running through the grounds of a country house near West Meon, including the main channel and a historic side channel. Proposed works included landscaping across the estate and restoration works to the river corridor. As the watercourse provides potential habitat for protected species, ecological surveys were required to inform how works could be carried out sensitively and lawfully.

Our role

Wessex Ecology was commissioned to complete otter and water vole surveys along the river corridor. This included a desk study of local records, detailed habitat and field sign surveys, and the deployment of trail cameras to assess otter activity. Surveys were carried out in line with recognised best practice guidance to confirm species presence or absence and assess habitat suitability.

Outcome

The surveys found no evidence of otters or water voles using the site at the time of survey, although habitat suitability for otter was assessed as moderate and a single otter spraint had been recorded during an earlier survey. The findings confirmed that otters may commute through the site as part of the wider river catchment. Recommendations were provided to ensure that any future works to the watercourse or adjacent woodland are informed by up-to-date surveys, allowing the project to move forward while maintaining legal compliance and protecting wildlife.

Key facts

Location: West Meon, Hampshire

Sector: Rural development

Site type: River corridor within a country house estate

Services provided: Otter survey, water vole survey, trail camera monitoring, protected species advice