After looking at the calendar and realising that half the year had gone already, I found myself reflecting on the many things I have learnt so far this year and the great wildlife I have been fortunate enough to experience here at Minsmere. My reflections left me feeling a little sad that many of the things I had been looking forward to have been and gone, Springwatch being the main one! Instead of reminiscing on the ‘has been’ I decided to leave my desk and just go and enjoy the day and what’s about at Minsmere.
I hadn’t even left my chair before I saw three stoats from the work centre offices. I ran out of the building and decided to follow them for a bit. They darted from cover to cover making their way across towards the car park. I have started to refer to the mother stoat as ‘Marmite’. She has been given many other names by staff and volunteers here but I like to think of her as Marmite because she really divides the opinions of visitors. They either love her...or they hate her! I can’t help but have the upmost respect for her; she is a phenomenal mother and tirelessly hunts using incredible resourcefulness to provide for her family. Earlier this week she was sighted swimming in front of Island Mere hide hunting for a moorhen, which she managed to take despite the size difference!
I didn’t see the stoats come out of the bushes after following them to the car park so I decided to go for a walk and enjoy the other incredible wildlife here. Apart from getting caught in the rain my walk around the scrape was lovely and filled with wonderful birdlife; Mediterranean gulls, many black tailed godwits, sandwich tern, little tern, kittiwake, ringed plover and a gorgeous spotted redshank.
It was on my return to the Visitor Centre that I experienced the highlight of my day; two stoat kits playing out in front of reception. Their mother had apparently been very busy whilst I had been walking. She had been visiting the rabbit warrens near to the car park and been fairly successful in her efforts. The mother rabbit had fought back against the stoat and ‘Marmite’ had received a powerful kick to the body.
The stoat kits seemed completely oblivious to their mother’s efforts and were just busily scurrying around in front of the Visitor Centre chasing each other and tumbling over. They had caught the attention of quite a crowd (obviously Marmite fans) being so close and entertaining. They finished with quite a crowd pleaser by one of the kits scampering up a tree and testing their agility even further!
Stoatal madness at Minsmere, what a treat!
Great shots, Amy! I'm sticking with referring to her as the Terminator, though. She is one amazing mum.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.