OTTERS have returned to Radipole Lake in Weymouth – and secret cameras reveal they may be breeding.

Wildlife guardians at the RSPB’s Weymouth Wetlands nature reserve are celebrating another significant milestone after signs that otters are breeding at the site for the first time in several decades.

Evidence is supported by film footage taken from concealed cameras around the reserve which depicts two young otters, most likely to be siblings.

There have been plenty of other signs of otter activity including prints and droppings – and an RSPB employee caught sight of one of the elusive mammals playing with an old football.

The development comes just a few months after news that marsh harriers were breeding at the site, the first time a pair has done so in Dorset for almost 50 years.

Otters were in decline in Dorset about 30 years ago due to persecution and loss of habitat. Since then they have made a steady recovery and were known to be on every major river system in Dorset except the River Wey, which runs through the reserve.

An otter was first spotted on the site as long ago as 2001 but now they are being seen more frequently.

Experts believe this is because of natural expansion and the fact there are plenty of small fish and eels to eat.

Reserve warden Nick Tomlinson also believes it is due to work being undertaken to revitalise the site by creating a diverse range of habitats to encourage as many different species as possible to breed.

“The fact the marsh harriers, and now possibly the otters too, are breeding means we’re doing something right,” said Mr Tomlinson.

People are now invited to visit the reserve to spot otters. They can also watch film footage of the otters at the visitor centre.

Assistant warden Nick Quintrell saw an adult and juvenile otter last month and also made the latest sighting.

He explained: “I saw a beautiful adult otter swimming on the surface of the water before it dived and headed upstream.

“About 50 yards away through some reeds I could just make out some flashes of blue moving along the far bank.

“After a few seconds when my eyes adjusted to the gloom I realised I was watching a black football with bright blue flashes being propelled across the river by the otter. I couldn’t quite believe it was happening.”

There are plans to make the otters feel even more at home at Weymouth Wetlands next spring as the Environment Agency will be building an otter holt.