Stoats in Wanstead Park

I received an e-mail from Kathy Hartnett of the Wren Group passing on some information that she had received from a new member of that Group:

Date: Friday, 28 May, 2010, 15:45

Hi Kathy

Wasn't sure who to send wildlife sighting to only I saw a stoat in Wanstead Park this lunchtime.  North of Heronry pond on the path by the golf course. Bounded down the path in front of me for about 5 metres, stood looking around for a bit and then disappeared into the brambles. I was so dumbstruck I just stood there, then moved off and waited but it didn't come back.

I've seen stoats at Rainham but never ever this local.

Barbara M.

Stoats are present in Wanstead Park and are seen and reported from time to time. We should be aware, though, that Weasels are also present, and it can be difficult to tell them apart unless a good sighting is obtained. Stoats are generally bigger than Weasels, with a body length for the former of between 230-290 mm and the latter between 210-230 mm. Quite distinctive - if a good view is had - is that Stoats have black tips to their tails, and also relatively longer tails than Weasels.

It would be interesting to find out more about the status of mammals such as Stoats and Weasels in the Park and elsewhere around here, but to do so we would have to do some proper mammal trapping (live trapping - that is!), rather than rely on - albeit valuable - reports such as this.

There is a charming photograph of a Stoat in Wanstead Park here.

Paul Ferris, 29 May 2010