Stoat

crieffy

crieffy

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John Moncrieff
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I was out looking for Otters and came across a few Stoats - I think there were four all zipping around various rabbit holes and down among the rocks on the shore. Previously I have only ever managed a distant blurry picture of a tail as one flew past.

Stoat, Shetland, 2018 by John Moncrieff, on Flickr

Stoat, Shetland, 2018 by John Moncrieff, on Flickr

Will be back to the same place tomorrow - hoping for one to catch a rabbit...
 
Fabulous! I know just how fast these little sods can be, but when you catch them, they are sooo cute...

Both excellent shots.
 
John wonder images as always,what other mustelidea do you have on shatland,it is sheland isn't it,opologies if i'm wrong.

John these little iislands don't always hold the full quota of mammals that the mainland does,hence me curiosity

cheers for sharing

stu
 
Stuart Philpott said:
John wonder images as always,what other mustelidea do you have on shatland,it is sheland isn't it,opologies if i'm wrong.

John these little iislands don't always hold the full quota of mammals that the mainland does,hence me curiosity

cheers for sharing

stu
Click to expand...

Apart from the Stoats, we have Otters, Ferret/Polecat cross (released in 1970’s apparently - also numerous and usually seen splattered on the roads) other mammals are Rabbits, Mountain Hares, Hedgehogs, Brown Rats and Field Mice...
 
Thanks John ,I did wonder whether polecat or weasel would be up there and of course that stella animal the pine martin, wow no brock either I nearly missed that

cheers for the reply..appreciated !

stu
 
Excellent shots, John, especially the second one.

I don't want to take anything away from your skill - I've seen your otter shots so I know the high level you work at - but I'm guessing, as these creatures are so fast moving, there was a little bit of luck involved.

Are stoats common in Shetland, either the Mainland or the other islands?

Dave
 
Tringa said:
Excellent shots, John, especially the second one.

I don't want to take anything away from your skill - I've seen your otter shots so I know the high level you work at - but I'm guessing, as these creatures are so fast moving, there was a little bit of luck involved.

Are stoats common in Shetland, either the Mainland or the other islands?

Dave
Click to expand...

Quite a lot of luck involved actually :) though I had seen them on previous visits and they were hanging around the area the day before. I just sat myself down behind a wall and waited, and luckily they appeared for me. I think it's a family of youngsters discovering new areas, as they were very inquisitive about me and kept appearing from various different holes.

They are found all over the Mainland of Shetland but are not found on the other islands (it's thought they were introduced around 1700) I've had fleeting glimpses of them for years but this is the only occasion I've had any amount of time to photograph them. Would have loved some more full body shots but they really don't sit for long in the open..

Couple more..
_DSC8998 by John Moncrieff, on Flickr

Stoats, Shetland, 2018 by John Moncrieff, on Flickr
 
Thanks John. Two more good one, again especially the second.

Dave
 
Great set John, the 2nd is a beauty (y)
 
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