ravenn at premier1.net wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> My daughter is taking rowing classes through the Everett Parks and while
> she is in class I have about two hours to bird on Spencer Island. Today
> was more of a mammal day than a bird day. I joined two other people to
> walk with and we saw a musrat swimming in the slough on our way onto the
> Island. On the boardwalk near the barn, we were looking for rails when
> a small mammal, I think a mink but I could use a good mammal field
> guide, walked up the boardwalk towards us. I couldn't believe that he
> just kept on coming until he was right at our feet. We stood very still
> while this little creature walked all around us sniffing our feet and
> checking us out. When he was satisfied, he walked to the edge of the
> platform and jumped down into the cattails and disappeared. I wish I
> had my camera!!!! We also saw a raccoon and two small brown rabbits.
>
> We did get to see our Virginia Rail. One walked out onto the mudflats
> plain as day and gave us a good look. I'm looking forward to my
> daughter's next class. I'll be able to bird there three times a week
> for the next month or so.
>
> Yvonne Bombardier
> Everett, Wa
> ravenn at premier1.net

Hi Yvonne:

The mustelid you saw may have been a long-tailed weasel. I saw one
crossing the Spencer Island bridge from Spencer to Smith Dike. It
seemed pretty tame to me, just stopping now and then to look at us as it
crossed the bridge. I think that was one of the best looks I have had
of weasels. Mink have a dark, rich brown coat compared to the weasel
which is lighter and has a white or light underside. Mink are also
quite a bit larger - about the length of a cat.

Janet Carroll