We had a report of two MINK downstream of Cogglesford Mill over the weekend, thankfully after a bit of talking about identity/recognition we think it was a case of mistaken identity and was actually Stoats. About 3 years ago we had Mink nest in the Mill and they caused quite a bit of damage to the other wildlife and they also wipe out Water Voles in the area that they use which is the main reason Water Voles are the UK’s most endangered mammal. Just hope these were Stoats and not Mink.
The adult Dabchick and Coot are also still around and there were not many Ducks on the green by the Hub today so hopefully most have now recovered, but we will keep an eye out for any more that are affected for a while yet. The local E.A. people have been very helpful in this case of the waterlogged Ducks etc but they are being let down by the Lab in the time it is is taking to get results from their water samples which still have not come through 
Now the voting is over I can show my photo that was a finalist in this years Countryfile competition…
…although I didnt win, the picture will be in this years Countryfile Calendar for Children in Need and will also be in the Countryfile magazine out on October 16th 
This is the second year in a row that I have made it into the calendar See HERE for details.
Terry