A routine morning coffee quickly turned into an unexpected wildlife show for one local household after a river otter made a surprise visit right into their yard.
Belinda Kerda lives in the Rural Municipality of Stuartburn and says the encounter began like many others, with a bit of movement catching her eye near the riverfront property.
She says otters are not a regular sight in the yard.
“We’re having coffee like every morning, and we saw movement and I said, oh, Rob it’s that darn groundhog again.”
What she saw next, however, was anything but ordinary.
A playful and curious visitor
Kerda describes spotting what she called a “slinky otter” wandering through the yard, seemingly on a mission to explore every corner.
“And Rob says, that’s not a groundhog… turn around and look and here’s this slinky otter just checking out the entire yard,” she says.
Phone in hand, Kerda began recording as the otter made itself right at home, circling the property.
“I picked up my phone and he or she ended up going across the snow left in the yard, sliding on it, having fun,” she says.
The animal’s playful behaviour left a clear impression, literally.
“There’s a skid mark on the snow,” Kerda adds, noting the otter appeared to have a well-used “slide” near the house.
@steinbach_online When a backyard becomes a front-row seat to nature 🦦 A curious river otter decided to turn the Kerda yard in the RM of Stuartburn into its own little playground. #steinbachonline #stuartburn #riverotter #animalsworld ♬ original sound – SteinbachOnline
Not their first otter sighting, but a rare yard visit
While otters are occasionally spotted in the nearby river, Kerda says seeing one so close to the house is highly unusual.
“Oh yes, we see them in the river, but generally they’re pretty skittish of people,” she said.
She suspects this particular visitor may have been scouting the area.
“I don’t think it’s the first time they’ve come by the house. I think she’s looking for a place to nest by the river,” Kerda speculates.
In fact, she’s already convinced the otter might be female and possibly even expecting.
“I’m pretty sure because she’s big… and probably pregnant. Who knows? Wouldn’t that be awesome?” she says.
A yard full of wildlife
The otter may be the newest addition, but Kerda says wildlife sightings are nothing new on their property.
From deer and raccoons to skunks and even bears, the yard is rarely quiet.
“The deer are named. We have names for the deer,” she says.
While bears tend to cause trouble, the otter brought nothing but entertainment.
“The otter, she was new in the yard, she was new and it was fun to watch her,” Kerda says.
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Morning coffee with a view
For Kerda and her family, wildlife watching has become part of the daily routine, especially with a river just steps away.
“That’s why we sit here when we’re having our coffee in the morning,” she said.
And while squirrels and birds usually provide the show, this latest visitor raised the bar.
With talk already of naming the otter, Kerda says she’ll be consulting her grandchildren for ideas, especially if the playful visitor returns.
-With files from Carly Koop.