I think I just saw a mink!

[sparkygirl]

Early this morning I saw a small black mammal in the field behind my house. I moved to get a better look and it raised its head and we stared at each other for a minute or so before it moved off. It was dawn half light, but its face was grey and paler than the body, and it looked about the size of a ferret. If it was a mink, can anyone answer these questions?
- Are they common? (I live in Surrey, rural with lots of ponds and rivers)
- Should I report it and to who?
- Who would win in a fight with local cats?
I've just joined WAB and hoping someone can answer these!
Best
SG

[AshLee]

Hi,

The way you describe that the face was paler than the body makes me wonder if you saw a feral Ferret or Polecat.

Have a look through this thread:

polecats/ferrets

Ash

[yorky]

I think possibly polecat ferret - there are quite a few escapees around. Mink that I have seen have been black all over.
To answer your second question - yes, they are common unfortunately and I wouldn't fancy the chances of a moggie against one of natures most ferocious predators though I doubt if the mink would go out of it's way looking for a scrap!

Jack

[vole-woman]

Mink are very dark, almost black bar a white flash under their shins (usually).

If you see it again and it's definitely a mink, report it to your local Wildlife Trust, give the precise location, and ask them if they're going to take any action (ie try to trap and kill it). Our local WT seems reluctant to get involved in this side of wildlife preservation because I think they're scared the public won't like it, but if they get more calls from ordinary people asking them to control mink, they might begin to actually do something.

Some WTs are much better than others - yours might be active in controlling mink anyway. Hope so!

[sparkygirl]

Hi there AshLee, Vole Lady and Yorky,
Really appreciate your replies. Thanks for the info - yes it was definitely a polecat and not a mink. So no need to report it to anybody?
Its definitely the most interesting thing I have seen for some time and persuaded me to join this site!
I had a look at the polecat information - a couple of years ago Oxfordshire was considered quite far East for a polecat.
Sparky

[vole-woman]

Just read my post back: it's a white flash (usually) under their CHINS, not shins. Doh.

I'd report the sighting to the WT as they'll almost certainly have a mammal recorder who logs sightings across the county. Incidentally, if you see even a dead mink or otter, eg squashed on the road, you should report them and give as exact a location as you can.

[shirl]

Originally Posted by vole-woman

Just read my post back: it's a white flash (usually) under their CHINS, not shins. Doh.

I'd report the sighting to the WT as they'll almost certainly have a mammal recorder who logs sightings across the county. Incidentally, if you see even a dead mink or otter, eg squashed on the road, you should report them and give as exact a location as you can.

I agree, if you are sure it's a polecat go to the Surrey Wildife Trust page and email then with details.

Shirl