Otters at Silver Lake

[kenneth2019]

Another quiet birding day around Hope, although there were about 6 unidentified ducks on Kawkawa Lake, the first I have seen this season.
Also had about 10 Savannah Sparrow on the gravel patch at Hope Track.

At Silver Lake I could only find 2 CAGO, a crow and a Bufflehead.

There were however 3 Otters that were keeping Me company on My short walk.

I think they pretending to be harbour Seals in this pic.

Otters at Silver Lake by Kenneth Davis, on Flickr

They were doing well catching Crayfish.

Otter with Cray Fish Silver Lake by Kenneth Davis, on Flickr

One was quite a bit bigger than the other two.

Otter at Silver Lake by Kenneth Davis, on Flickr

These two were the smaller ones and went off together.

Otters Silver Lake PP by Kenneth Davis, on Flickr

[Chris]

Neat they are up there. Ever since I saw a few in the Fort St John area I always wondered how far they travel to another body of water. I would see them in lakes that would be frozen over quite far from open bodies of water.

My best guess is these ones followed Silver Creek up to the lake.

[kenneth2019]

Sept 18, 2023 19:55:45 GMT -8 Chris said:

Neat they are up there. Ever since I saw a few in the Fort St John area I always wondered how far they travel to another body of water. I would see them in lakes that would be frozen over quite far from open bodies of water.

My best guess is these ones followed Silver Creek up to the lake.

Yes, I have seen them on Bristol Slough and the mouth of Silver Creek. Around Prince George I have seen them running across large lakes when there is a couple feet of ice. They will maintain ice holes and fish under the ice, but will also travel long distances in the winter to get back to the main rivers.

[Gord]

I've found if one makes a gruff "Chuff Chuff" sound they will come quite close to check you out. I've also found it's worth warning your hiking companions or anyone else in earshot what's going on before doing any otter calling. It must be how they talk to each other as I've heard them do it back and forth.