Sidmouth man spots early morning otter

Martin Myhill had quite a surprise when he looked out of his bedroom window at 3am in Holmdale, Sidmouth, last Thursday. For the first time in the 40 years he has lived there, he saw a fully-grown otter walking past his home.

Martin Myhill had quite a surprise when he looked out of his bedroom window at 3am in Holmdale, Sidmouth, last Thursday.

For the first time in the 40 years he has lived there, he saw a fully-grown otter walking past his home.

"I was up because it was hot and I was looking out of my window and thought it was a cat, but it was walking funny towards the house.

"With the window open he must have been able to smell I was there. He stopped and stretched and was sniffing the air."

Martin, 68, woke his wife Maureen to show her the otter.

"I stamped my feet and he saw me. He was nearly in the High Street and he turned and came towards me to go back to the river," said Martin, who wondered if the otter had been on the hunt for his goldfish in his fishpond.

"He went right through to the town. I don't know if he was on the scavenge," he said.

Martin says the otter must have come out of the River Sid at the forge, crossed into garages and come up through the gardens at Holmdale and into the town.

The otter is not the only wildlife Martin has seen. He once saw a deer while waiting outside Radway Cinema, and looks out for badgers at a sett he knows of.

"I can't believe I will see that otter again," said Martin, who went back to sleep after the excitement.

*Do you have any sightings of Sidmouth's animal wildlife you would like to share with readers? Contact reporters on 01392 888 500.