 The Tir Gofal scheme is funded by the European Union |
A plush new riverside pad in a much sought-after area has been snapped up...by a couple of otters. It is now hoped the pair will start a family in their six-room holt in mid Wales.
The purpose-built property is on a farm near Builth Wells and has been made from tree trunks and other wood.
Otter experts decided on the deluxe model home because the animals, like their human counterparts, prefer homes with lots of room.
The holt at Rhysgog Farm, at Llanafan, Powys, is funded by the Tir Gofal agriculture scheme which encourages environmentally-friendly farming.
It is bordered by Afon Gwenwst, which flows into Afon Irfon in the Wye Valley - a popular area for families of otters.
Farm owner Pip Tapping said: "I've always been interested in protecting wildlife and working on a project like this is a great way of doing that without disrupting normal work on the farm.
"It's clear that a few changes and a bit of work can have real environmental benefits."
Otters are sensitive animals and need vegetation cover along their riverside habitats to feed and sleep during the day.
Where these conditions are not found, a holt can help in attracting otters back to certain river sections, say the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW).
Atlantic salmon
Julia Phillips, Tir Gofal officer for CCW, said: "Building an otter holt is a quick and simple task.
 Otters need vegetation cover along the river banks |
"It could be one of the most beneficial wildlife projects a large commercial farm could undertake alongside a stretch of river that has sparse vegetation cover along its banks.
"It only takes a few hours, can utilise home-grown farm timber and hedgerow brash and can be grant-aided under Tir Gofal."
She added that there were a range of experts available to provide farmers with practical advice.
Ms Phillips also said Pip Tapping had also completed more simple conservation work along the river.
"Dams and weirs have been constructed from alder to mimic the natural river system and create slow and fast moving water," she said.
"These help to slow the current and trap silt, which help provide shelter for young fish such as salmon, trout and bullhead, as well as fresh water crayfish and insect larvae."
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Building an otter holt is a quick and simple task 
