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Behind the Camera: The Hidden Interactions Between Otters, White-Tailed Eagles and Mink

In recent years, advances in camera technology have made it possible for me to observe wildlife more continuously than before. The cameras record activity around the clock, revealing how different species use the same areas. In the areas I document, there are large populations of otters and mink, as well as ravens, crows, magpies and white-tailed eagles. Stoats and foxes are also found here, having to swim to reach these islands, which I have been documenting for many years.

Otters and Mink – Two Species Sharing the Same Areas

Through my camera recordings, I have documented otters and mink using the same small islands and, in some cases, the same areas. On one island, I filmed a mink emerging from a den that is also used by otters. Other recordings show both species frequenting the same island, which has been monitored by my cameras for more than two years.

These observations raise questions about how the two species interact along our extensive coastline. Do they compete for food and habitat, or are there situations in which they can coexist without direct conflict? My observations here in the north appear to differ from the findings of research conducted in western Norway.

The Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) has investigated changes in mink populations in areas of western Norway where otters have returned. The results suggest that mink activity has declined noticeably and that otters may contribute to displacing mink from areas where both species live. Read more about NINA's research: Otter Numbers Help Reduce Mink Populations. https://www.nina.no/aktuelt/alle-artikler-og-nyheter/antall-mink-minker-takket-vaere-oteren

My own recordings cannot, on their own, explain why the two species use the same areas in northern Norway. However, they document specific situations over time and provide a basis for investigating whether local differences exist along the coast. For now, it is difficult to draw firm conclusions.

The Master Fisherman That Other Species Benefit From

The cameras have given me a closer insight into what happens around otters' fishing grounds. Otters are efficient fishers, and the remains of their meals appear to provide an important food source for other species. The recordings also reveal a close interaction between otters and white-tailed eagles. When fish or other food remains are left behind, the eagles may benefit from the catch. Crows and magpies visit the same locations and take advantage of food left by the otters.

In the area I monitor, I have recorded large populations of crows and magpies in recent years. Based on my observations alone, I cannot determine how much the otters' activity contributes to these populations. However, the recordings show how these birds visit the same locations and make use of the available food resources.

https://www.nrk.no/tromsogfinnmark/smagnager-krasj-gir-krise-for-rypene_-nesten-alle-reir-er-plyndret-1.17511964

Why Do Otters Catch Flatfish and Wolffish?

Another interesting feature of my recordings is that I have observed otters surfacing with flatfish and wolffish. This has made me wonder why these fish species appear so frequently in their catches.

Flatfish and wolffish generally live on or near the seabed, which may make them accessible to hunting otters. However, I do not yet have enough evidence to determine why otters catch these species so often. Possible explanations include where the fish are found, how easily they can be caught, and which other prey species are available.

What Do These Observations Tell Us About Biodiversity?

For me, the greatest value of this nature documentation lies in the opportunity to follow developments over time. Individual recordings capture specific events, while footage collected over months and years can reveal patterns that would otherwise be difficult to detect.

I want to understand how changes in fish populations and food availability may affect the interactions between otters, mink, white-tailed eagles and crows, and what implications these changes might have for seabirds and biodiversity as a whole.

Nature does not consist of individual species living independently of one another. Species share habitats, compete for resources and take advantage of opportunities created by the activities of others. By following these relationships over time, we can gain a better understanding of how coastal ecosystems function – and how changes in one part of nature can affect many others.

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