MAMMAL: Otters in Cumbria

February 10, 2011:
There have been several recent reports of Otters being seen at a locality in Cumbria so today's unexpected glorious weather gave an opportunity to go to look for them.



A short wait by the lake-side was rewarded by the first sighting as what appeared to be a young one surfaced and rolled about in the water for a few seconds. Soon afterwards a group of three appeared, their size suggesting them to be an adult and two juveniles. These two engaged in a playful squabble before the parent guided them away out of view. There are frequent sightings of Otters in the north-west nowadays suggesting that they are undergoing a significant revival from their former scarcity when they suffered from the poisonous effects of chlorinated pesticides.

MAMMAL: Roe Deer at Brockholes Wetland, Lancashire

September 26, 2010:
Being close to the Ribble and with much woodland and scrub both on the site and nearby, this wetland is a haven for a number of mammal species which sometimes includes Roe Deer. Intensive construction work on the new facilities is carried out on weekdays so that not many animals have been seen lately but on this quiet Sunday afternoon, one at least was inspecting the new developments.



It took quite an interest in the brightly coloured notice-board and seemed reluctant to leave until spotting a long lens aimed in its direction 150 metres away.

MAMMAL: Arctic Fox in Spitsbergen

July 14, 2008:
The Arctic or Polar fox (Vulpes lagopus) has a circumpolar distribution and lives in some of the coldest conditions in the world. In winter its thick, highly insulating fur is pure white but in summer, as shown here, it turns brown. It has furry pads on its paws which help to insulate its feet and give it traction when on the ice. Its sense of hearing is acute enabling it to detect prey even when under the snow. A mature animal can weigh up to 5 kilograms. Arctic Foxes occur in two colour phases, white and blue. The white phase is uniformly white in winter but becomes grey-brown on its back and thighs and cream on its belly and sides in summer. The blue form remains dark charcoal all year round. Where available, lemmings are the favourite diet but bird’s eggs when in season, fish, and carrion are also eaten.



The fox shown here on Spitsbergen was a white phase and was in the remote valley of Bjorndalen. Although in its darker summer fur, some white remains on its breast and ear tips. On these islands there are no lemmings and virtually no other small rodents, so in summer the foxes prey on seal pups, seabirds, Rock Ptarmigan and eggs. The bird cliffs here with their huge populations of nesting birds are a favourite haunt for foxes. In winter, apart from the Ptarmigan, they rely on food cached during the summer such as seal and reindeer carcasses as well as other carrion.



On Spitsbergen, the fox has no natural enemies or competitors. just a few resident trappers who are allowed to take animals under strict license during a limited winter season. This practice is traditional having taken place for hundreds of years. One estimate suggests that there is a density of approximately one fox for every 10x 10 km in Spitsbergen.

Below, Bjorndalen where this fox was photographed. Even at the height of summer, as here, it is a hostile environment for almost any form of wildlife.

MAMMAL: Stoat (Mustela erminea) near Bashall Eaves, Lancashire

June 21, 2009:
Only a brief view and a few photos were possible when this Stoat emerged briefly from a ditch alongside a quiet country lane.

MAMMAL: Brown Hare at Brockholes Wetland, Lancashire

June 28, 2009:
On a warm summer evening there had been a violent thunderstorm with accompanying heavy rain for about an hour when, in dim light, this Brown Hare suddenly appeared out of the surrounding vegetation and loped along the access track. It seemed to be completely saturated but after shaking itself and wiping it's face with its paws, it carried on its way.









Thanks to the authorities for allowing access to this site

MAMMAL: Bearded Seal, Nordenskjøldbreen, Svalbard 2008

July 15, 2008
The Bearded Seal (Erignanthus barbatus) at 2-2.5 metres in length and weighing 250-300 kg is the largest of the northern phocid seals. They possess patchy distribution throughout the circumpolar Arctic where their favoured habitat is drifting pack ice over shelves beneath shallow water.







In Svalbard they occur in many of the fjords as well as around the coast. They feed by diving for clams, shrimps, squid, crabs and various fish and will search sediments on the fjord floor by using their long whiskers to detect prey. They are quite approachable if not hunted but will eventually slide smoothly from the ice into the water if one gets too close.





Photographed here under the front of the Nordenskjøld glacier at the head of Billefjorden, Spitsbergen. Glacier fronts such as this one are usually rich in food due to strong up-currents bringing food near the surface. For this reason they are also favoured by birds, especially gulls.