Otter??

mightymaiden · #1 (**permalink**) 02-07-2011, 01:52 PM

Could this be an otter. I was annoyed because during the rush to change me macro lens to me tele, I accidentally altered me setting on me camera. Pics are rubbish im afraid.

Cheers

Martin

Ukwildlifeo · #2 (**permalink**) 02-07-2011, 01:56 PM

Im afriad based on the way its floating, the tail and white on the face it looks like an american mink

vole-woman · #3 (**permalink**) 02-07-2011, 03:47 PM

I'd say mink, too.

mightymaiden · #4 (**permalink**) 02-07-2011, 07:32 PM

Cheers for that, makes sense as otters are noctural lol.

dampflippers · #5 (**permalink**) 03-07-2011, 11:58 AM

What part of the country are you in?
Your local Wildlife Trust, Council and the Waterways trust will all be interested in your sightings. Send the photo, date and the location with a grid reference if you can.
EA website gives phone numbers for your local EA
office at http://www.environment-agency.gov.fish (or try 0845 933 3111)
report Mink (0800 80 70 60).
Wildlife Survey | British Waterways' 2011 National Wildlife Survey

Bobby D · #6 (**permalink**) 03-07-2011, 01:52 PM

Would I be right in thinking that if a mink, then it is one that would have escaped from one of the breeding farms that we now have in this country.

werdnal · #7 (**permalink**) 03-07-2011, 08:15 PM

Many mink were originally liberated from the fur farms in the UK by anti fur-farm campaigners, and some are accidental escapees. They have adapted well to living in our environment and have established themselves very successfully in certain areas. The original ones released would likely be in mink heaven by now, so some of those that are still about are likely to be their wild born offspring.

vole-woman · #8 (**permalink**) 03-07-2011, 08:33 PM

Yes, we don't have any mink farms on mainland Britain nowadays, I'm glad to say.

mightymaiden · #9 (**permalink**) 05-07-2011, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dampflippers

What part of the country are you in?
Your local Wildlife Trust, Council and the Waterways trust will all be interested in your sightings. Send the photo, date and the location with a grid reference if you can.
EA website gives phone numbers for your local EA
office at http://www.environment-agency.gov.fish (or try 0845 933 3111)
report Mink (0800 80 70 60).
Wildlife Survey | British Waterways' 2011 National Wildlife Survey

Im in the northwest. The picture was took on the river Ribble near Brockholes.

I have emailed them to enquire.

Thanks for the comments.

The Woodman · #10 (**permalink**) 05-07-2011, 07:42 PM

It's definitely not an Otter.

Have another close look at the "blue water" image and the facial markings and the pink nose, what do you think?

Brockholes was a site surveyed for the Fifth Otter Survey of England and Wales. Six hundred metres upstream of the M6 bridge on the left bank. The only negative Ribble site!