We have seen mink at Marymoor about seven or eight times, with sightings scattered between mid-March and mid-October. All the times I can recall, the mink was in or near water. I don?t think we?ve ever seen one in a meadow or forest area.

Mink are larger and darker than Long-tailed Weasels, and don?t have the bicolored ?plumage?.

== Michael Hobbs
== www.marymoor.org/birding.htm
== BirdMarymoor at frontier.com

From: Marc Hoffman
Sent: Tuesday, August 06, 2013 8:57 PM
To: Rob Sandelin ; tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: RE: [Tweeters] Long-tailed Weasel

Hi Tweets,

I've now had emails from three individuals questioning whether my photos are of a Long-tailed Weasel, and suggesting it was, rather, a Mink. Looking at photos in a Google search, that seems quite likely. My assumption it was a LTW was based on the multiple reports LTW sightings at Marymoor, whereas I didn't recall reports of Mink there.

I am hoping Michael Hobbs or someone else will chime in with information as to documented sightings of Mink at Marymoor.

As for swimming ability, this critter definitely had some--it seemed to swim effortlessly across the swift current about 6-8 feet below the weir spillway.

It's hard to tell if there was white under the (very soaked) chin, but it surely was not entirely white.

Marc Hoffman
Kirkland, WA

At 06:12 PM 8/6/2013, Rob Sandelin wrote:

Hmm, given that the animal was wet it doesn?t seem to show the usual light underchin. Could be the wetness or the light. Makes me wonder if it?s a baby mink. Was the tail thick or thin? I have watched weasels avoid water, actually even breaking off a chase when the prey (a jumping mouse) lept into a shallow side stream. Whereas Mink are totally water wise.

Rob Sandelin


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From: tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu [mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Marc Hoffman
Sent: Tuesday, August 06, 2013 11:09 AM
To: jeff gibson; tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Long-tailed Weasel

Hi Tweets!

Jeff's post convinced me I needed to share some photos from yesterday when I paddled the Sammamish Slough beside Marymoor Park at around 6 pm. I was watching a female Common Merganser when I saw what I thought was a little Otter head poke up through the water just below the weir. Turned out to be a Weasel. You can see photos on my blog at http://www.SongbirdPhoto.com.

Happy birding--birds & otherwise,

Marc Hoffman
Kirkland, WA
tweeters "at" dartfrogmedia "dot" com
www.SongbirdPhoto.com


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