Otter puts on a show at Thurso riverside
OTTERS have returned to Thurso's riverside and have been creating a memorable wildlife spectacle within easy walking distance of the town.
Local photographer Mel Roger is one of a number of onlookers who have been captivated by the mammals' antics as they splash around in the river and go in search of fish.
Otters were seen in the same area last year.
Speaking on Monday, Mel said: "This otter played and fed in the river about 50 metres upstream and downstream from the swimming pool bridge – it was feeding on eels, trout and at least one flounder.
"It didn't seem at all perturbed by his watching audience – in fact latterly it seemed to be putting on a show!
"I was there from around 10am to 1.30pm when the otter decided to head up the river but I think he had been there before that."
Although she saw only one in the river on Monday, Mel had observed another larger otter close to the harbour in the early part of last week.
"I think they are a bit later in showing this year," she added. "The photos I took last year were around about January 25 and I know there had been a lot of talk and pictures on Facebook before that."
