Ideas to what this is please?

[KMawds]

Hi

Was on my way into work the other morning taking some photo's and as I leant over the bridge on a stream I scared some birds away and something shot under water. I waited for it as most of the stream was frozen so it really had to come back up where I was. It did appear and promptly seemed to paddle against the flow of water holding position muck like a Kestrel would in the air.

It seems to be lying flat on the water with a fur coat, it was difficult to see as it was dark in this spot. As soon as I moved it shot under water again, so I waited and it came back and started paddling though from what little I could make out the rear end seemed to be doing the paddling!

[Burko]

Looks like the back end of a mink.

[Wild-Woman]

Welcome to WAB. Well it appears bird shaped so I'm thinking Little Grebe.

[Burko]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Welcome to WAB. Well it appears bird shaped so I'm thinking Little Grebe.

That's a better idea. Got mustelids on the brain me.

[Ukwildlifeo]

Im gona go with little grebe based on the behaviour and shape, but the body and head does look like the rear end of a mink and tail!

[Endrick]

looks like a dabchick to me as well

[Burko]

I think being in the mammal forum is what threw me!

[KMawds]

thx guys, the more I look at the picture the more I see 'bird' I was expecting the kneck to be held up like a duck would and as it seemed to be almost flat on the water I thought was weird.

,aybe an admin can move to the correct forum now? oops Ill take a torch in future

[minkhunter]

Can't make it out, but if it was a mink, when they are in the water it looks like a long thin stick and you see the whole body from head to tail moving through the water without any rippling movement.