Mustelids

[wearside weasel]

Hello!

This is just a post to share my experiences (not enough) of the weasel family. I love stoats and weasels but unfortunately for me I haven't seen one in ages!! Most people just catch a glimpse of them legging it across the road! I always feel that it is more difficult to see the weasel, probably because they are so small and can carry out there business under cover or under ground. Stoats tend to be out and about more. If you do see one, stand still and don't move as their eyesight is poor. Also (as mentioned on other posts) try the squeaking sound through pursed lips. This has worked for me on a few occasions with the weasel/stoat coming to within 3ft of me........no camera though!!!!!

I think possibly the best time to see S&W's is in June/July/August when they are rearing their young, this is when they are most active. A documentary was made about 10yrs ago about stoats in an old priory. This place (Mount Grace Priory) is only 45mins from where I live so I am going to try and do some stoat watching next summer. I think hedgerows and farmland are good places to see these little animals and anywhere that has a good rabbit poplulation is sure to have stoats. I think it's just a case of getting out there and having a little patience and a bit of luck!! Any additional advice would be very welcome!

I would also love to see an otter or pine marten in the wild. I am fortunate in that here in the North east there are a number of rivers with good otter populations...seeing one is a different matter though!!
Anyone got any tips? Best time of year to see them etc. One thing I do know is that they prefer hunting on parts of the river that are quite fast flowing.

I should also mention that there is a book just out by Richard Moores called "Where to watch Wildlife in Britain and Ireland" It's on amazon. I have asked Santa for it!

[Forestknights]

I have had great fun tracking them.

I am going canoeing in Canada next year and hope to spot a wolverine. My friend had a fantastic sighting on the same river last year so there is hope.

[JonathanOrchids]

Hi WW,

A good place to start trying for otter photography is Big Waters near Wide Open, north of Newcastle and about 2km. south of the A19 turnoff. This was featured recently on Bill Bailey's 'Wild Thing I Love You', on Channel 4 Sunday evenings about 4.50. There's a hide, and it's a well-managed reserve. The Seaton Burn has brown trout lower down where the water is less acidic, and otters hunt there. If you travel further afield, Ardnamurchan is fantastic - and they are much less shy. Try around fishfarms, or in the bays and coves around Glenborrodale.
You might need a longish lens though...

Jonathan

[Nettle Runner]

I was walking my dogs last winter in Sherwood Forest. I spotted a fox some distance away acting strangly. Watched for a while until it moved off. Went to the spot and set my old dog to work, sniffing. She became interested in a place, and I removed leaf litter to find a freshly killed stoat.
I returned to this spot to check if the kill was there each weekend. It was removed after 4 weeks.
I had never seen a stoat in the woods before. There were signs that a fox had taken up residence in a very old badger set near by.

Les