weasel Northern Kentucky, USA (1 Viewer)

[Jim Lundberg]

Wrong forum, but I will get good results here... My apologies if this is not appropriate. Out photographing migrating warblers this morning, I saw a pair of the weasel family moving through a brushpile. Are they feral ferrets, melanistic Long-tailed Weasels or what? A couple House Wrens were quietly following their progress from the top of the brushpile. Thank you, Jim

 

[cavan wood]

With chocolate fur and a white chin, I'm pretty sure that's a mink. Weasle family though, and lucky to get such a close view.

Scott

 

[Jim Lundberg]

With chocolate fur and a white chin, I'm pretty sure that's a mink. Weasle family though, and lucky to get such a close view.

Scott

Scott,
I should have added my best estimate for size--about 1 foot including the tail (1/3 meter). The closest water source is 200 meters to a steep draw to the Ohio R. about 1/2 mile. I'm really wondering now. I'm going to throw up a portable blind tomorrow before sunrise. Wish me luck,
Jim

 

[Joern Lehmhus]

With chocolate fur and a white chin, I'm pretty sure that's a mink. Weasle family though, and lucky to get such a close view.

Scott

I´d also think Mink

 

[Mike Richardson]

Looks good for Mink. Your estimate of size also suggests Mink over Weasel.

 

[Jim Lundberg]

Ok, mink it is. That is fairly exciting--three blocks from my house in the suburbs, five-minute drive from downtown Cincinnati.
This morning I set up a blind, dribbled the juice from a can of cat food from the nearest draw to the brush yard, set up a distressed mouse call and promptly drew in a feral cat. Yesterday I read that the mink's territories are generally quite long and water-following, so they were probably elsewhere this morning. Anyway, thank you for the ID.
Regards, Jim