More on Mink Rafts

The recent pictures of the Water Voles on the Scrapes are definitely good news and, added to the recent sightings on the Wetland, show that we still have a reasonable poulation of these mammals.   That makes it all the more important to watch out for predators, and particularly the American Mink.

The efforts by Colin and others to either replace or refurbish the Mink rafts means that all the old ones have now been replaced with new ones.  A new Mink raft has also been put out on the Wetland.  This has also been an opportunity to replace the clay cartidges in all of them so that the clay is softer and takes a clearer imprint.

After replacing one of the Risedale Beck rafts yesterday, it was the turn of the raft near the Bullet Catcher to be replaced.  The new one now has a hinged lid which makes it easier to check the clay cartridge rather than having to lift it out of the tunnel.  This means that we now have six rafts around the reserve to show signs of Mink.

Interestingly, before the recent sightings of Water Voles in the Scrapes, the Mink raft there had the imprint of both Water Vole and American Mink.  As the Vole print was over one of the Mink prints, it had visited the raft more recently and had taken vegetation there to chew.  As there were also droppings on the raft, it suggests that the Vole was reasonably relaxed about being there.