Tips on finding weasels and stoats

scoggij · #1 (**permalink**) 01-08-2006, 03:21 PM

hi there - does anyone know of a good place to see weasels and stoats in the south / South West of England. I have only ever seen a weasel twice in my life, and then only briefly so I'd love to see more of them. Are there any areas that are particularly good? WHat time of day / year is best? Where is the best place to look and are there any other hints that might help me?
thanks

Wild-Woman · #2 (**permalink**) 01-08-2006, 03:43 PM

Hi and welcome to WAB.
Mmm. Stoats and weasels.Think you can find them most places-farmland, woods,moors. Anywhere there's a good supply of rodents and ground birds. Think it's a bit about luck. Had one on our driveway a couple of years ago with a chick in its mouth. I've also seen them run across country lanes, hedge to hedge. I'm certain they are widespread and cunning in their movement from place to place. Hope your search is fruitful. ww

henrya · #3 (**permalink**) 01-08-2006, 03:49 PM

Find a nice quiet place where there are lots of Rabbits feeding, and just sit and watch. Even if you don't see a Stoat or Weasel you'll have a pleasant time! If you see one, you can sometimes attract them by making squeaking sounds (sucking the back of the hand is the usual recommended method, but you may be able to do it just with your mouth)

henrya

Willow · #4 (**permalink**) 01-08-2006, 04:14 PM

Hi scoggij - welcome to WAB!

Whenever I've seen weasels and stoats, it's always been a case of pure lucky chance for me...so I'm not sure I can offer any advice. Once, when my husband and I were out walking along a very quiet country lane, a weasel popped its head out from between a tree root on the bank. We stood really still as soon as we spotted it, and it kept popping back down behind the root - and then popping back up again to look at us with bright, curious eyes. It just couldn't resist having another bold, inquisitive peek at us..and then another, and another....such a magical encounter for us.

The other times I've seen them is dashing across lanes from one hedgerow to another. Good luck with your weasel/stoat watching. Let us know if the tips you get here come up trumps for you!

Willow

Dan Salter · #5 (**permalink**) 01-08-2006, 05:09 PM

The new RSPB raptor view point in sheppey past elmley reserve called CAPEL FLEET which is by the harty ferry crossing ( on the opposite side of the water to OARE MARSH)

Spent an afternoon there watching marsh harriers with a friend a few weeks back and the cutest bouncing stoat kept coming from out of the bush at the base of the man made viewing mound and bouncing its way right up to our feet...sniffing around my rucksack until one of us moved to look through our bins at a bird and it would scarper off back to its bushes...then 30 seconds later it would be back...the shoot off , then back...you get the idea? this went on for over an hour...right into dusk barn owl viewing time but this little fella actually was the days highlight for us both !
I know they have a bite and kill wabbits and eat eggs etc but my god they are adorable to watch !
Maybe he is a regular looking for scraps of birders sanwiches so if your ever at the viewpoint keep an eye on your lunchbox...

Lincs Yellowbelly · #6 (**permalink**) 01-08-2006, 05:13 PM

Most the weasles i've seen have been whilst driving down country lanes

had 3 come out in front of me a couple of weeks ago, play fighing with eat other

Dan Salter · #7 (**permalink**) 01-08-2006, 05:15 PM

they look like mini sausage dogs when they dart accross a country lane. have seen them on the sandling lane heading toward Kent Wildlife trust HQ Tyland Barn in maidstone.

nightshade · #8 (**permalink**) 01-08-2006, 05:19 PM

Hi scoggi,I took a short cut through a small village with quiet narrow lanes on the Mendips and slowed to a stop when a family of stoats crossed the road they played in a bank of dried grasses and in a drystone wall until another car broke the spell.
Further along the same road I spotted a couple of weasels

colinaj · #9 (**permalink**) 01-08-2006, 05:44 PM

Woodpiles @ dawn & dusk are good breeding sites or sit by Rabbit warrens in Summer it won't be long before they are after Rabbits esp when they have young nearby.

Weeting Heath the Stone Curlew Site is a good place to see Stoats & Redgrave & lopham Fen in Norfolk for Weasels.
Caj

Airehead · #10 (**permalink**) 01-08-2006, 09:17 PM

When I was younger and spent nearly all my time fishing I saw many stoats by the water. Since I never saw a weasel, I thought they must be rare around here. But in more recent years I have seen them fairly often on farm land and higher pasture. But I have never seen them on the open moor.