I was having a good old look through the photos on our RSPB Frampton Marsh community page and came across a rather lovely picture of a weasel that had been taken by a visitor at the reserve. We’ve had quite a few sightings of weasels on the reserve in the past with some being in the grass around the visitor centre.
Weasels are our smallest carnivores and are active hunters feeding on small mammals like voles and mice. They’re found throughout England, Wales and Scotland in a variety of habitats.
Although quite similar in colour to stoats, weasels are smaller and have a shorter tail with no black tip. They have long slender bodies that enable them to follow their prey into burrows and have a reputation for cleverness and quickness.
Weasel- Kevin Law
In folklore and mythology weasels have been seen as good and bad omens. In Inuit stories the weasel is credited with both great wisdom and courage where as in Japanese folklore hearing the cry of a weasel was considered to bring misfortune.
Although weasels are not considered to be rare in the UK, the habitats that they favour are declining. By encouraging farmers, landowners and gardeners alike to have a wildlife friendly approach we can make sure our flora and fauna are protected for years to come.