TEP was commissioned by the Environment Agency to undertake an otter survey of the watercourses of Greater Manchester and parts of Lancashire, Derbyshire and Cheshire.
A total of 141 bridge crossings were identified as potential survey sites. Sites varied from rural stretches of river through to urban areas.
Watercourse banks, islands and prominent features were surveyed for otter field signs over a minimum of 25m upstream and downstream of each bridge.
Results were presented as a GIS project and summarised in a brief report which included recommendations to maximise the potential of watercourses for otter.
Findings included the first confirmed reports of otter on the River Irwell in Greater Manchester for over one hundred years.