Garden Wildlife UK

Bob S wrote: Wed Oct 08, 2025 4:24 pm

Charles B wrote: Wed Oct 08, 2025 3:33 pm

Bob S wrote: Wed Oct 08, 2025 1:08 pm

Cheers Charles. I've seen them a few times in hedgerows.... popping out to eye you up and then popping back.

They are quite a nightmare here in Germany because they like to sleep under the warm motor bonnet of you car and feast upon radiator hoses, belts, battery cables and wiring. I only have a bike and keep it in our entry way!

You have to admire them though, The first time I saw one was up in the local Peak District quite a few years ago. Chasing a large rabbit across a field. I googled then and know they bite through the spinal chord to paralyse larger animals. A bit gruesome but for such a small predator you have to be a little impressed.

Yes, I also saw a photo in internet where one killed a big rat. We used to have a rat problem until we tilled the garden deeply which brought a brown-headed white-tailed eagle down to scout it out. Then a moggy started coming around and maybe also an owl. Now something with claws jumps onto our balcony rail after dark. My wife wonders if it's a weasel but I doubt that. Alas a good WildCam with night-vision would cost me 300€.

My OH and myself were sitting on a public bench on the coastal path near Bridlington when one appeared from nearby bushes. We sat their transfixed while it came over and sniffed around our feet before moving off in no great hurry. I don't think it ever realised what it had been doing. I never grabbed a camera as I didn't want to frighten it but it was a magical couple of minutes never to be forgotten.