Stoat/Weasel

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

I would just like to know if there is any way to encourage Stoats and Weasels to live in an area? can you for example provide somewhere for them to live that they will take up residence? i know that they will use Log piles etc, but will they use built houses like Hedgehogs will

Being my favourate mammals i would love to be able to get better views, rather than them just wizzing across the road infront

[Garden Carpet]

Dont know about accomodation but my parents had one visit their bird table for many weeks feasting on the fat from a side of pork! So perhaps you should open a stoataly weasly restaurant for them

[aeshna5]

If they are in the area then you will probably get them in the garden if there is food/shelter for them. Log piles are a good idea on both counts + some long vegetation . If you have a good rodent or rabbit(only Stoat will manage this!) population that would be a good start- if not they are unlikely to hang around. Wonderful mammals to watch- good luck!

[chunkychambers]

The Stoats I've seen love to run in wet ditches that run along the sides of hedges and fields.
On the Trust land we cut back a boat-load of Tamarisk and purposely piled it up to form a new habitat. That attracted Stoats as well as Short eared Owls.
Both areas had good cover as well as loads of rabbits.

Weasles have been more elusive for me, I've only seen them suddenly crossing tracks in front of me and then dissapearing.

I suppose, if they are in your area, most mammals will be attracted by lots of cover and plentiful food

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

I think i'm going to struggle to attract them to be honest. It's not at home i was thinking about(as we live in Town ) I was thinking of doing something more at the pond, we already have log piles but i've never seen a Rabbit there, plenty of Mice/ Rats and Birds though

[SteveHL]

If you build a tunnel system using bricks and use a stepping stone over a central hollow chamber then cover it with a log pile it will help attract weasels. if you can then encourage mice by feeding bird food/peanuts you'll eventually get weasel visiting. Once there you can supplement with a little cat food in the colder months. I've also been told they like small eggs.
Let me know how you get on.
Regards
SteveHL

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi, here's a little trick for you to try if you want to see a stoat cose-up. I've done it a few times and it does work.(bet they prove me wrong ).
As soon as you see a stoat put the back of your finger to your lips,suck in through tight lips so you make a high pitched squeeking sound.Do it in short irregular blasts to immitate an injured or distressed small animal.
I did it the other week, a rabbit shot out in front of me followed by a stoat.I started to call, the stoat came out of the undergrowth,reared up.It came closer ,reared up again.It came to about 6 feet then the penny dropped or it got my scent and it was off.
Try it , it's feel great when you get them so close.

Neil

[Misquish]

Hi,this morning we had, what I guess would either be a stoat or weasel come down from the loft via the the gap for central heating pipes. It appeared in our dining room,mooched past our bemused jack russell and then went back through the gap again. It was reddish brown approx 10ins/1ft from nose to tail with quite a thick tail. Has anyone else had stoats or weasels roaming around the house?!!

[Dogghound]

At that size it must be a stoat.

[LoveT]

Originally Posted by Misquish

Hi,this morning we had, what I guess would either be a stoat or weasel come down from the loft via the the gap for central heating pipes. It appeared in our dining room,mooched past our bemused jack russell and then went back through the gap again. It was reddish brown approx 10ins/1ft from nose to tail with quite a thick tail. Has anyone else had stoats or weasels roaming around the house?!!

I'd love to see a stoat or weasel close up, but I draw the line at one sharing breakfast !

Welcome to WAB, by the way - hope you enjoy your stay!

Thea