Mink - do I report it and who to?

[MerlinMagee]

Coming back from a bike ride today I stopped at a weir on the River Taff and a mink ran along the top of a wall in front of me. I'm pretty sure of the identification although I've never seen one before - basically weasel shaped but coloured black or dark brown, possibly a lighter tip to the tail. I know it's a pest and is culled but should I report it and, if so, who to?

[Billy Wobble Dagger]

Yes you should report it. Your local wildlife trust would be a good place to start and if they can't help I'm sure they would point you in the right direction. The Wildlife Trusts for your local trust. There are several threads on WAB about the destruction that mink will do to river based wildlife. Please report it as soon as you can.

BWD

[nightshade]

If it was near water, river stream or lake, I would report it to the appropriate river/water authority.

[coasty]

I agree the correct thing is to report them, However I have never seen any evidence of NRA culling tthem

[The Woodman]

Report it to the Fisheries department of your local Environment Agency office.
The area Fisheries Officer may be interested enough to either trap it himself or be in touch with someone local who will do the deed. The Agency do not routinely trap mink, although some FO's do it because they know the benefits.
Also, the area in which you saw the mink may be fished by an angling club. Again, some clubs trap mink and it may be worth mentioning it to the club secretary if you can find out who he/she is.

[mrs fish]

I would say report it to your local Wildlife Trust, they should have the means to trap them , the sooner the better

[shirl]

Originally Posted by mrs fish

I would say report it to your local Wildlife Trust, they should have the means to trap them , the sooner the better

I agree and you may be able to report it on line, you can with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. What normally happens is that mink rafts are set up in the area, they have clay pads on them so they can check for mink footprints before any live trapping is done.

It really is important to report it though, this is the worst time of year for water voles as young mink have just dispersed to make their own way. And the young mink (and females) can get right into water vole burrows so there is no where safe at all.

Shirl

[mrs fish]

What a coincidence , I have just had a neighbour pop round and she said that she saw a "Black Ferret" come out from under a shed the other day, our houses are very close to the canal and ditch where the Water Voles are/were

I know it is a Mink , the one I saw last year was jet black

Now I wonder if my WT did do any trapping after I reported my sighting

I have asked them a couple of times did they trap any because I am very very concerned about the Water Voles, but have had no replys.

I am going to report this to the WT.

[shirl]

Originally Posted by mrs fish

What a coincidence , I have just had a neighbour pop round and she said that she saw a "Black Ferret" come out from under a shed the other day, our houses are very close to the canal and ditch where the Water Voles are/were

I know it is a Mink , the one I saw last year was jet black

Now I wonder if my WT did do any trapping after I reported my sighting

I have asked them a couple of times did they trap any because I am very very concerned about the Water Voles, but have had no replys.

I am going to report this to the WT.

Good idea to report it, we have to be so careful especially at this time of year. I am sure if your WT have the right people available to monitor then live trap etc they will have actioned it, it is just too risky not to take action.

Shirl

Shirl