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Riverbank predator caught on camera


By Lorna Thompson

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Fisherman Alan Fraser snapped some images of a mink – a notorious river predator – hunting along the River Lossie.

Mr Fraser, from Lhanbryde, spotted the mink early one evening last week, just north of Calcotts Bridge, when he noticed air bubbles moving upstream.

A mink spotted on the River Lossie.
A mink spotted on the River Lossie.

At first Mr Fraser assumed the creature was an otter – and was surprised to see a mink emerge from the water. He was out fishing for the first time this year on the river. The mink appeared directly across the pool and he was able to get a photo before it disappeared into the rocky bank.

It re-emerged about 30 metres upstream. Mr Fraser managed to capture several more photos. The creature became aware of his presence and once again disappeared. Mr Fraser managed to coax it back out by making a squeaking noise.

Mr Fraser said he has sighted mink along the riverbank before – but this was the first in quite a number of years.

The non-native, invasive mink has spread rapidly across the UK since they first escaped fur farms more than 50 years ago. Mink are bolder than otters and can be seen day or night, whereas otters are mainly nocturnal. Mink have more pointed noses than otters. There are major concerns over the damaging impact of mink on native species, particularly the water vole.


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