Ermine or Short-tailed Weasel hunts at Bluebird Meadows

This little guy was seen by our daughter in February chasing a squirrel along the back fence row near the pond.  He didn’t have any luck that day but I have to wonder if this little critter or a relative of his, was responsible for all the fish disappearing out of our pond last winter.

The weasel,  or also called ermine especially during its winter white colour phase, has a tiny face, sharp teeth and claws, and a tail with black fur at the tip. In winter it is white and in summer it is brown.  It can be found almost anywhere in Canada.  It hunts rabbits, rats, birds, frogs, fish, and chipmunks and squirrels.   It eats hundreds of field mice, making it a valuable preditor in controling populations of mice and other pests.

The Ferret and mink are cousins of the weasel.

Just one more animal to add to our list of possible wild-life you might see here at Bluebird Meadows.  While visiting you may encounter:  Coyotes, Snow-shoe hares, Cotten-tail rabbits, Turkeys, White-tail Deer, Possums, Raccoons, Flying Squirrels, Chipmunks, Ground Hogs and a wonderful assortment of birds.

A big thank you to Donna Tolmie for this very difficult shot!

#accomodations #MtStLouis #nature #WinterGetaway