Wildlife in the garden - weasels

You might be casually looking out of the kitchen window, cup of tea in hand, surveying the borders and pondering what should go in that gap by the magnolia…when suddenly there’s a sharp movement in the undergrowth.  A small brown form darts from under a shrub - bigger than a mouse but definitely not a bird or a rabbit.

It’s not all that common to spot a weasel in your garden, but they can turn up from time to time.  They like plenty of cover, provided by hedges, long grass or dense planting which helps keep them hidden.  If it stops moving for long enough you might get a good look to be able to identify it properly - weasels and stoats are very similar, but stoats have a black tail tip which makes them more distinctive.  Weasels are slightly smaller, with a russet-brown body and a creamy-white belly.

Despite their diminutive size and cute looks, they’re determined hunters, preying on mice, voles and small birds, so may be helping to keep the local rodent population in check - though it’s possible they can also pose a threat to small pets and poultry flocks.  Nonetheless, the sight of a little weasel darting through your garden can be mildly thrilling - providing evidence that it’s a welcoming place for all kinds of wildlife.