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Post by lottielady on Sept 10, 2007 8:36:04 GMT
Now has anyone who lives near any waterways ever seen one? Early yesterday morning while walking the dogs I saw what I can only think is a wild Mink scampering along the hedgerow next to the canal. I have seen something similar some time ago - at a bit of a distance - then it dived into the canal and then disappeared along the canal so didn't get a good look. It was dark brown/black and had a furry tail (so definately not a rat - deep breaths if you are reading 4P!  ) and about the size of a 6mth old kitten. LLx |
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Post by Weeterrier on Sept 10, 2007 11:35:29 GMT
Yes LL. Well, no, I haven't seen one personally, but my ex-husband used to see them quite often in a river near here, The Endrick, which is a good river for catching fish. So there will be rich pickings for the mink. I have no idea how they would get here.
I believe that mink usually escape into the wild from mink farms, but I don't know of any in this part of the world. Though, why would I?
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Post by lottielady on Sept 10, 2007 12:11:15 GMT
Hopefully fur farms are a thing of the past. Have been given some information that Mink eat rats, voles and Moor Hens  I hope their preference is rats! LLx |
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Post by Weeterrier on Sept 10, 2007 14:22:42 GMT
There are great problems caused by terrapins being 'got rid of' too, but sadly they are still being sold in pet shops and garden centres . Speaking from experience, I know how big they can become, and how much work looking after them entails. They eat the native fauna found in and around ponds and lakes.
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Post by nightowl on Sept 10, 2007 14:51:36 GMT
Mink are evil little killers and will eat anything. A friend who lives near a river had one in her hen-house ( they are very slinky and can get through tiny holes ). It killed or injured all her chickens, and answered the question of where her ducks had been disappearing to  They have badly affected the natural wildlife anywhere they have settled and are seriously bad news.  |
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Post by Weeterrier on Sept 10, 2007 17:33:52 GMT
If mink and terrapins would only go to the same patch of water, maybe they'd sort themselves out? Sadly, mink choose rivers, terrapins choose lakes. I think, don't know.
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Post by Chuckles on Oct 9, 2007 16:40:11 GMT
I've seen many wild mink on a private estate near us. It had several large ponds and one in particular was home to quite a few of them.
OH tells me when they first move into an area they eat the voles 1st, thats why there are not so many of them about these days. They will eat moor hens, coots, fish, ducks and other wild game and when food supplies run low they will move on.
Beautiful creatures but very nasty.
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) and about the size of a 6mth old kitten.
I hope their preference is rats!
