Grimsby had a rather cute and unusual visitor earlier this month.
A River Otter was spotted and photographed at Watcher’s Pond in the Grimsby Wetlands on August 2, believed to be the first known sighting of one in the Fifty Point-Grimsby area.
The otter also seemed quite comfortable with the attention, with photographer Terry Chettle capturing it lounging on the logs, showing off its paws and generally hamming it up for the camera.
Bruce Mackenzie, who along with Laurie Mackenzie coordinates the Grimsby Wetlands Project for the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club, said River Otters are seldom seen in Southern Ontario, although they are known to travel along Lake Ontario and inhabit larger river systems such as the Credit, Bronte and Niagara rivers.
Recent heavy rain may have allowed this one to follow a drainage ditch from the lake into the wetlands and discover one of its larger ponds. Mackenzie believes the otter has likely since returned to Lake Ontario, as the wetlands are not large enough to support the territory and fish supply an otter requires.
The Grimsby Wetlands have attracted other rare visitors in recent years, including Niagara’s first recorded Cinnamon Teal in 2024 and a pair of Least Bitterns that successfully raised five young in 2025.
The wetlands, located along the Lake Ontario shoreline at Grimsby’s west end, have been a Hamilton Naturalists’ Club project since 2001.
The sighting is another reminder of why protecting Grimsby’s remaining wetlands and natural shoreline areas near the radio towers is of paramount importance. There has been development pressure for years on these lands in this part of Grimsby, including areas within and adjacent to the Greenbelt.
Wildlife does not recognize property lines, and wetlands, drainage corridors and undeveloped lands all form part of the habitat that allows species such as this otter to move through the area.
Sometimes it takes a rather photogenic visitor to remind us what could be lost if precious shoreline property is opened up to urban sprawl.
Care to visit? The Grimsby Wetlands are located at 624 Winston Rd, open every day and admission is free.
