Alien Invader
My farmer friend was fuming when I met him on the river bank. For six days he had been keeping an eye on a mallard nest but, that very morning, it had been raided and the eggs destroyed.
The nest would certainly have been sheltered from heavy rain or snow and safe from flooding but, unfortunately, it provided no protection against the attack of one of nature's most ruthless predators. As Sandy crept up to check the eggs, he disturbed a large dark brown mink which had enjoyed a substantial meal at the duck's expense.
Mink, which are related to our weasel and stoat, are recent incomers to many parts of Britain. Originally hailing from North America, many were bred on farms to supply the fur trade. Inevitably some escaped and an even larger number were set free by extremist animal rights protesters. Those animals bred in the wild very successfully and, for the past 30 years, have increased in number and spread throughout our countryside.
Much larger than its native cousins, a fully grown mink may measure up to 18 inches with another eight or nine inches of bushy tail. It always lives near water and its diet will often contain waterbirds, frogs, voles and small fish. It hunts by scent and will pursue its prey both by night and by day.
It is during the Spring that minks can do the greatest damage to wildlife. The eggs and chicks of ground-nesting birds are at greatest risk but it is not unknown for the alien invaders to climb trees and destroy the broods of songbirds as well.
Normally the creature is fairly shy and will keep well out of the way of humans. In some situations, on the other hand, it can develop a cheeky bravado.
Last year, while fishing for trout, my pals and I beached our boat on the shore to eat our lunch. While we were sitting enjoying our sandwiches, Peter gasped and pointed to the boat. Quite the largest mink I have ever seen was attempting to drag a glistening rainbow trout over the gunwales. We had fished hard for a couple of trout that morning and objected strongly to having them stolen from in front of our noses!
The balance of nature in our country has evolved over millions of years. That balance is fragile and any interference with it can have unfortunate consequences. The introduction of alien species can have disastrous results, not only because they may destroy our own birds and animals but because they compete for food and territories. There is some evidence to suggest that the decline in the number of otters on our rivers is directly related to competition from minks.
It is always tempting to wonder how an exotic animal or bird might fare in our own country but the dangers of upsetting the natural balance should never be overlooked.
I was left in no doubt that Sandy would have some pretty harsh words to say if he ever came across any of the people who set mink free from fur farms.
