Inis Ecologists were carrying out an Otter survey yesterday in County Monaghan on the Monaghan Blackwater River. We recorded a number of different Otter field signs, including footprints, runs, slides, spraint (faeces) and a couch (resting place). There were multiple Otter spraints along the river bank and on protruding rocks. Otters leave spraint to mark their range, defend their territory and to keep in social contact with one another. One spraint record had the remains of a female Crayfish, see the pieces of carapace and eggs in the picture. The remains of a Crayfish claw was also recorded.