More Mink sightings in Wanstead Park

The number of reported sightings of Mink in Wanstead Park seems to be increasing. During the icy weather over the Christmas period, one was seen crossing the ice on Perch Pond, and there have been a couple more reports of them on the same lake since then, even as far up as the islands at the west end. This is further afield than previous sightings over the years which were either on the Ornamental Waters or the Roding.

The most recent report I have received was from Helen G. who wrote : " I just wanted to let someone know that I saw an American mink on the Ornamental Waters today (8th February) at around 4pm. I had a good look with my binoculars and it was clearly a mink and not an otter unfortunately. It was on the island bank of the Ornamental Waters near the pylon where the waters are nearest to the Roding river. I do hope this doesn't mean too much trouble for all the other wildlife on the waters."

Unfortunately, it does mean trouble for other wildlife, for mink will grab whatever they can and are quite general in the predatory habits. They will take both land and water based life including fish and water birds, mammals and reptiles.

Generally speaking, mink don't have any real predators in these parts, so unless they are trapped and dealt with in some way they will prosper at the expense of other wildlife. However, recent reports have shown that the resurgence in many areas of otters has had quite an effect on the mink population. In the Home Counties mink numbers have fallen by as much as 50 per cent with the increase of otters. I haven't seen any certain reasons why this should be, but it does seem that otters displace the minks and in rare cases are are even killing mink in direct combat.

Over the years we do have occasional reports of otters nearby, usually near the Roding of course, but an animal thought to have been an otter was reported within the last couple of months on the Shoulder of Mutton Pond. The Roding is a very healthy river, usually, and it isn't too far fetched to hope that an otter may take up residence somewhere nearby, with Wanstead Park as part of its territory. Perhaps then our mink will leave home.

(see also here)

Paul Ferris, 8th February 2011

Update:

I received this e-mail from a concerned observer and have passed it and the concerns on to Epping Forest's ecologists:

"Dear Paul,

Unfortunately we had close views of a Mink on the Perch pond at 3pm today, 19th March. It was swimming around the little island near the Tea Hut. As you are probably best placed would you mindplease contacting the relevant authorities.

Thank you in anticipation of your actions."

Paul Ferris, 24th March 2011