Species of the Month – November: American Mink

American Mink Neovison vison

The American Mink is a non-native member of the Mustelidae family, which includes some of our familiar native species such as Stoat, Otter and Badger. They are strongly associated with wetland habitats; in SW Scotland they typically frequent inland watercourses, but may also be found on some parts of the coast.  The fur is chocolate brown or black (appearing particularly dark when wet), with  a white chin and some variable paler markings on the undersides. It can reach up to 60cm in length (nose to tip of tail) – larger than Stoat, but still much smaller than Otters which are often found in similar habitats. In the water, they are quite bouyant, and swim with about half the body above the water (much less is usually visible in Otters).

Mink are found throughout most of mainland Britain and Ireland, but are native to North America. They were originally brought here for breeding in fur farms from which they subsequently escaped or were deliberately released. They are widespread, but there are few recent records from Wigtownshire and the most southerly parts of South Ayrshire.

Predation by Mink has impacted some of our native wildlife. They are heavily implicated in the huge decline of Water Vole populations, and seabird colonies located where Mink could swim to have also suffered significant declines. There have been many attempts to control populations, and locally by river and fisheries trusts have helped to carry out and co-ordinate action in some areas. Control measures have been successful in some parts of the country, in others less so.

Autumn and winter is a good time to spot this stealthy and elusive predator when marginal vegetation along watercourses has died down.

Mark Pollitt

SWSEIC Manager