Young Mink?

[BillyPilgrim]

This is the first time I've managed to get some shots of the Mink which have moved into my local nature reserve.

A pair of what I think were youngsters appeared from under a fallen tree, close to where I was sitting. Their bodies were about a foot long.

Can anyone confirm that these are youngsters?

[Naturenutz]

Sorry i cant help,but great shots

[Kayleigh]

Like Naturenutz cant help with your question BP but lovely shots even though I dont like what they do.
But its not their fault they are out in our countryside reeking havoc is it.

[eeyore]

yes those are definitely young mink - hopefully the next shots someone takes at them will be with a rifle.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by eeyore

yes those are definitely young mink - hopefully the next shots someone takes at them will be with a rifle.

Its the people who set them free who need the rifle..IMO

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Its the people who set them free who need the rifle..IMO

that as well - but blameless as the mink may be in their escape they are still a menace to local wildlife (particularly king fisher and watervole) and need shooting/trapping - particularly if these have just arrived at the reserve Billy refers to - now is the time to erradicate them before the darn things multiply

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by eeyore

that as well - but blameless as the mink may be in their escape they are still a menace to local wildlife (particularly king fisher and watervole) and need shooting/trapping - particularly if these have just arrived at the reserve Billy refers to - now is the time to erradicate them before the darn things multiply

Yep..I'm not disputing that but its a shame it has be like this.

[BillyPilgrim]

Originally Posted by eeyore

that as well - but blameless as the mink may be in their escape they are still a menace to local wildlife (particularly king fisher and watervole) and need shooting/trapping - particularly if these have just arrived at the reserve Billy refers to - now is the time to erradicate them before the darn things multiply

Not sure if this story is true but I heard that they originated from a Mink farm near Halifax which was 'liberated' by animal rights people.

I've been visiting Bretton Lakes for about four years now and its only in the last six months or so that I've seen the Mink. In the winter I saw what I thought was a male, then a female and now the two offspring?

I don't think they have had any affect on the local Kingfishers because they nest on the steep banks of the River Dearne, which runs through the nature reserve, and the Mink seem to be living around the lake - for the time being at least.

They probably have had an impact on other birds though.

For eg. there is a resident pair of Great Crested Grebes who have bred successfully in the past but this year, despite having built at least three nests (which I've witnessed), they have nothing to show for it. I thought it strange why they kept moving around but it could have been because the Mink were eating their eggs?

I agree that they need to be got rid of and I will attempt to contact the relevant people. Snag is that the reserve is now managed by the local council (used to be the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust) and despite having good intentions I doubt if they have the expertise!

[BillyPilgrim]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Like Naturenutz cant help with your question BP but lovely shots even though I dont like what they do.
But its not their fault they are out in our countryside reeking havoc is it.

Cheers Kayleigh.

No its not their fault but depsite the young'uns being quite cute I'm afraid they need to be got rid of. Not sure it will happen though.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by BillyPilgrim

Cheers Kayleigh.

No its not their fault but depsite the young'uns being quite cute I'm afraid they need to be got rid of. Not sure it will happen though.

Yep, totally agree they do not belong here..