20230302 (21)_Weasel
Weasels are the smallest of the British Mustelids and are generally very difficult to see. They hunt mostly under cover, investigating rodent burrows, log piles and other hiding places for mice, voles and presumably shrews, though these last are thought to be distasteful to predators. In summer particularly, with not only leaves on trees and bushes but also stands of Nettles and much other ground-covering vegetation standing up a couple of feet, it's easy for an animal that stands two inches high on all four feet to stay out of sight! Late winter, with no leafery and no ground vegetation either, is actually a good time to keep an eye out for a roving Weasel - which additionally will be finding that this is the leanest time of the year for prey availability and having to work harder and longer to stay fed. I got lucky and had this Weasel for about five minutes before it finally dashed off. It even climbed a tree to investigate tree holes and clumps of twigs - according to the Mammal Society's booklet this may well indicate a rodent population crash and an attempt to compensate by seeking out bird roosts and nests.
20230302 (21)_Weasel
Weasels are the smallest of the British Mustelids and are generally very difficult to see. They hunt mostly under cover, investigating rodent burrows, log piles and other hiding places for mice, voles and presumably shrews, though these last are thought to be distasteful to predators. In summer particularly, with not only leaves on trees and bushes but also stands of Nettles and much other ground-covering vegetation standing up a couple of feet, it's easy for an animal that stands two inches high on all four feet to stay out of sight! Late winter, with no leafery and no ground vegetation either, is actually a good time to keep an eye out for a roving Weasel - which additionally will be finding that this is the leanest time of the year for prey availability and having to work harder and longer to stay fed. I got lucky and had this Weasel for about five minutes before it finally dashed off. It even climbed a tree to investigate tree holes and clumps of twigs - according to the Mammal Society's booklet this may well indicate a rodent population crash and an attempt to compensate by seeking out bird roosts and nests.