Bel's Wood

I was lucky enough to capture this really short snippet of a mustelid. Opinion is split between this being an otter, a mink or a polecat/ ferret. It was running parallel to the beck and there is a small tarn on my neighbour's land. My beck runs into the River Gilpin. A neighbour Andy Brown ( www.shepherdaerial.com ), who has taken the aerial photos of my land, has kindly loaned me two more camera traps and I have had 3 cameras trying to get further footage. Sadly this has not been successful. Circumstantial evidence would suggest that this is a mink. Mink have been seen in the River Gilpin and by my neighbours with the tarn to the East.  All opinions welcome! In trying to get footage and with 3 cameras available I have picked up some fabulous shots of badgers, deer, foxes and some birds. The camera was trained on an easy crossing point for humans and as it transpires for pheasants   for squirrels  for badgers for foxes for this little mouse who sets off to cross....

 When I first visited this plot it was engulfed with bracken so I knew it was coming. But it has happened so fast. My focus has been  Keeping key paths open so I can get to all areas. Keeping a few chosen areas open for use (Camp 1, Cook out zone, The Terrace & the entrance) Learning how to place camera traps to still capture wildlife despite bracken and deep grass I have some good friends who have helped by keeping paths open by walking on them and stamping, snapping, cutting and bashing bracken! These shoots appeared                   and soon the whole site was covered So I have got tooled up!   The hawthorn has come to an end And has given way to summer flowers   Dog roses               Vetch                                           ...