I was walking along the main road through Rivington Country Park yesterday, not far from the main carpark, when I spotted a flash of white slinking across the grass. I ran across for a closer look and saw a stoat on a fallen tree trunk staring back at me. Pure white body with a black tail, never seen one in the wild before!
But I thought they only developed the white coat further North where the Winter is regularly colder? Is it just because our last few Winters have been so cold that they are getting the white coat around this area? Anyone seen them further South?
Incidentally, the Stoat disappeared and as I was peering through the undergrowth to try to spot it again I saw a smallish dome tent, nice woodland colours, neatly hidden away in the woods, only a few metres from the road. Thought about shouting hello then decided that anyone who'd sought out such a secluded spot valued their privacy. Wondered if it was anyone on here doing a spot of wild camping?
But I thought they only developed the white coat further North where the Winter is regularly colder? Is it just because our last few Winters have been so cold that they are getting the white coat around this area? Anyone seen them further South?
Incidentally, the Stoat disappeared and as I was peering through the undergrowth to try to spot it again I saw a smallish dome tent, nice woodland colours, neatly hidden away in the woods, only a few metres from the road. Thought about shouting hello then decided that anyone who'd sought out such a secluded spot valued their privacy. Wondered if it was anyone on here doing a spot of wild camping?