Mink

Just a pleasant view (you may think) along a small river that feeds into a lake on the Parkland where I walk regularly. However, I found that there is something lurking there that is thoroughly unpleasant.

The American Mink is farmed for its fur in several countries. Unfortunately some were farmed in the UK which commenced here in 1929. However and thankfully, fur-farming was banned altogether in UK under the Fur Farming (Prohibition) Act 2000.

There have been recorded breeding of Mink in the wild since 1956 in the UK. 

The existence of Mink being in the wild was either caused by some escapees from the farms (considered by some that they were possibly released on purpose) or being released during organised protest action by "Misguided" protesters, (only pleasant description I could use here) during the 1990s. 

I didn't believe there was a problem with protesting about Mink farms even to the point of blockading the farms, but releasing them into the wild was completely wrong and rather ill informed.

The Mink is not a native species to this country and has (I believe) caused considerable damage to wildlife as a result of being released to the wild. One such species (amongst many) that has suffered greatly is the Water Vole, which the Mink can pursue even into its burrow.

Below was the first sighting I had of the animal on this walk and my first sighting ever.

(The images are not great due to lighting, distance and the bloke using the camera)

It continued to return to the spot on one side of the bank that I observed it emerging from and disappearing each time. This is probably the location of one of its Dens. It can have up to 10 on a stretch of water. 

On one occasion it had caught a fish and was returning to the same spot on the bank.

There will be some that will disagree with my view about the existence of Mink in this Country. 

Some will say that its natural for the animal to hunt and kill prey, yes of course, but in the native lands to which it belongs, not here in this country. It is of course hunted in order to eradicate it from the country. All power to the Hunters I say. 

I shall return to my normal nature loving self tomorrow.

Wren

Wrens are never easy to see and photograph at the best of times. 

With most of the trees and bushes still covered in foliage, I was fortunate to find two that were hiding a low bush. I watched for a while and they both eventually put in brief appearances and it was a matter of shoot and hope for the best. I managed to get one of them.

An Early Morning Dunnock

At the start of an early morning walk I was greeted by this splendid Dunnock perched in the sunshine high in a Dog Rose bush.

As a contrast this male Bullfinch was hiding nearby as it is certainly not looking at its best just yet.

Parkland Walk - The Autumn Tinge

There are signs of the Autumn already around the Parkland which I observed on my a recent walk.

Some leaves are already falling and in each of the scenes there are some signs of Autumn.

The cows are lying about this meadow here now, but later this can easily be completely under water.

A confusing image. The reflection on the water is from a tree on the other side of the river.

These next two shots have been featured many times before in my posts in the past, but are shown to provide an idea of what it looks like currently.

A Black-headed Gull was dropping something into the water then diving in to pick it up again.

It may have been something it was trying to eat.

A Teal duck having completed a spot of preening was taking in the sun.

High up in the trees this Great Tit was pecking away at a seed.

This is 'Joe Crow' and he was sitting on top of a small tree next to the largest lake in the parkland. 

I think he was enjoying the sunshine as well.

Hawthorn leaves on the turn.

Woodland Walk

Just when you thought it was safe to read my blog again and you had seen the last of them,

"THE BUTTERFLIES ARE BACK'

Brimstone

A walk through the local woodland nature reserve revealed that there are still some butterfly species on the wing and in good numbers. Nothing out of the ordinary was found and species such as Brimstone, Comma, Large White, Small White, Speckled Wood and Green-veined White were observed. 

Comma

Speckled Wood

Ruddy Darter (f)

Large White

Small White

Speckled Wood

I said earlier "nothing out of the ordinary", but this one below is quite late to be still around. 

A very washed out Holly Blue, one of the 'Summer Brood' that is at the end of its flight time.

Geek Info

For those that are interested about cameras, the image below was taken using the equipment listed (effectively a full frame mirrorless camera and 600mm lens) and cropped approx 85% to show the detail obtained. 

Lumix GH3. Panasonic 100-300 lens. 300mm(=600). 1/500 at f8. ISO400