It wasn’t just winged creatures that were spotted on the latest bat walk through Stonebridge Meadow in Marlborough, nature lovers were also treated to a rare view of an otter.

While on the bridge in the wild river reserve in Marlborough, the 10 members of the group, led by James Shipman of the Bat Conservation Trust, spotted the elusive mammal swimming towards them before heading in to a sedge bed for cover.

Charlotte Hitchmough, ARK’s director said: “It will be interesting to see if the otter was just visiting or whether it is setting up home in the wild river reserve.

“A male otter can have a territory range of up to 40km, so he may be passing through, but it would be great if otters built a holt at Stonebridge.”