Bel's Wood

The cameras have been picking up activity at the wood over the summer. This Tawny Owl has visited this pool created by a leaky dam over a number of weeks and I have some lovely footage of him drinking, washing and pooping. This Jay poses for the camera perfectly here showing off his amazing colouring and moustache:- I often see the sparrowhawk and always hear his threatening call. Here he is by the beck and below is a chick who looks a little less confident hopping around. I’ve slightly enhanced this photograph to show the detail - the camouflage on Sparrowhawks and the Tawny Owls is amazing and such a different approach to the blue coloured Jayl I have had this Mink visiting frequently. The pointy nose is an indicator that it is a Mink not an Otter. In previous years I have had both visit at the same time. I have one swift piece footage that may be Otter but so fleeting it is hard to be sure so I have not included it. I have this rather nice footage of a stoat slinking around the tree...

In March 2021 I picked up a tantalising piece of footage of a mustelid. Opinion was split as to whether this was an otter, American mink or a polecat.  Mink and otter have been seen on the River Gilpin which my beck flows into. I did find some spraint which wasn't fresh enough to smell. Mink spraint smells unpleasant while otter spraint smells of jasmine or violets!    Basically the video footage was too short to tell so I set about capturing more footage although I reluctantly concluded it was probably a mink. I say reluctantly as these animals have escaped from fur farms and are not native to the UK. They cause harm to the ecosystem. While otters are native and rare. They are a protected species and seeing one is always a delight. I set up 3 cameras on the beck with two on loan from a fellow woodlander Andy. I captured lots of interesting footage. Badger crossing and drinking from the beck Red deer and fox crossing the beck As well as roe d...