Stoat?

A first wild guess would be mink, as already suggested, especially as other similar species will be apparent, check with the staff at Ham Wall.

A shame you never got a photo of it in your collection.

Interesting. Used to live near there, thinking of returning for the day to do a bit of wildlife spotting, will keep eyes peeled.

What’s the difference between a Weasel and a Stoat?…..
…One’s Weasily recognised, the other’s Stoatally different!

Sorry, I felt compelled to share that, it’s utterly awful and yet I’ll bet my binoculars you’re smiling.

Hi Mike,

Apologies that I hadn't seen this question sooner. We do indeed get mink here at Ham Wall. The dark colour you mention does suggest mink too. Stoat are generally a lighter brown with the dark end to the tail. Weasels much smaller than a stoat.

Size of a mink would be similar to a ferret, whilst otter are generally much bigger.

There is a programme throughout the Avalon Marshes to try and control the population as they can be quite damaging to our native wildlife.

People have had quite close encounters with mink - less shy than a stoat. They have run right past people and even gone into hides and screens on a couple of occasions.

Unknown said:

Hi Mike,

Apologies that I hadn't seen this question sooner. We do indeed get mink here at Ham Wall. The dark colour you mention does suggest mink too. Stoat are generally a lighter brown with the dark end to the tail. Weasels much smaller than a stoat.

Size of a mink would be similar to a ferret, whilst otter are generally much bigger.

There is a programme throughout the Avalon Marshes to try and control the population as they can be quite damaging to our native wildlife.

People have had quite close encounters with mink - less shy than a stoat. They have run right past people and even gone into hides and screens on a couple of occasions.

While I know Steve's reply is to the original poster, who is also Mike, I'd like to add that mink is a problem for many reserves, and I know my local reserves, both RSPB and others, are actively trying to control mink numbers in the right way.

The perils of releasing non-native species without any thought.

Some interesting replies here, I used to regularly see mink when I used to keep a couple of horses on the edge of Dartmoor I could get quite close to them when out riding then they would realise that it wasn't just a horse and that there was a horrible human on board and then they would be gone.

Regards Mike.