Over the past month much of my time has been spent working on a magazine photo essay the subject being bald eagles.
I’ve enjoyed many encounters with these adult eagles for six years now and of course especially enjoy watching each year’s eaglets become independent. Enough of that. You will have to wait for the essay.
A few days ago I wandered along the riverbank near the eagles’ nest. The eaglets were perched in a tree while the adults were nowhere to be seen. I am always on the lookout for other species that share this territory and on this occasion I spotted one of my favourites – an American mink.
Occasionally I have seen one swimming along the river. They carry their young in their mouths and also their prey so I am not sure which of the two this is here. The photo was captured a couple of weeks ago.
On my most recent visit a mink appeared from behind some brush and climbed up a sandbank stopping occasionally to sniff the air. Mink will eat everything from birds and fish to frogs. As I moved closer to get a better view I realized this mink was targeting belted kingfisher nests which overlooked the river.
The embankment is steep even for this mink which scrambled up and a couple of times slipped and fell to the ledge below. Undeterred, it climbed again sniffing at different nests before burrowing into them.
I watched it emerge with a newborn kingfisher in its mouth then run down the sand to the river’s edge then disappear into the brush. It was an astonishing display of thievery – the first time I had ever witnessed such a moment.
But the mink was not done. I watched it raid the nests twice more bringing additional newborn kingfishers down the sandbank to its own young presumably waiting in a den.
It returned a fourth time checking out every nest once more until realizing there was no more prey to be had.
Two days later I returned, roughly the same time of day, and was pleased to see the mink emerge once again. I watched it run up the sand bank and sniff at each of the nests but, of course, he had already exhausted that food source. No doubt it will provide for its young although it’s a challenge to remain safe along this river particularly with two new eagles flying about.
A newly fledged bald eagle finding its wings.
Every visit to this river is an eye-opener whether its seeing a huge beaver swimming past on its way to a den, or the mink scurrying along the edge or the biggest stars, the bald eagles themselves. More on the bald eagles to come………….
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CANADA!
Hi Paul. That rascal was recently observed by my wife swimming in our pond and dining on several frogs. Well , everybody has to eat.
Hey Ron, very cool! And, yes they seem to have insatiable appetites. Watching this one repeatedly raiding those nests was something special. I look for them every time I am down by the eagles’ nest(s).
Wild life is so interesting, didn’t know that Kingfisher’s nested on high hill, like a cave swallow. Bad bad Mink, but they have to feed there young and themselves, Thanks Paul for another great story and photos.
Yes, this is a naughty, but hungry, mink! There are bank swallow nests close by but I haven’t seen the mink with them. Maybe too small??
Rascal! I love kingfishers. Our home backs onto a ravine and a stream. I have seen a mink slithering (that’s the only wayI can describe how it moves) through my garden. Luckily, I don’t have any chickens.
Hey Hamlin, great to hear from you. I too enjoy Kingfishers. The adults would often fly past and – if humans kept at a distance – they would dart in and out of these nests. The mink often go after chickens as you note AND it often coyotes that get blamed for this.
Yes every animal has so it’s preference in food.
Live near a swamp and so for the first time, a couple of common night hawks showed their acrobatic skill set.
They were after moths and others flying low above the trees at dusk.
Never seen a bird that acts like a bat.
You are lucky to see them in action. I have only seen nighthawks fly across the sky at dusk. Even then it was a rural dude who pointed them out to me! Who knew they might eat moths? Awesome.
A lucky encounter for us all–well, maybe not for the Kingfishers–that your photos show in clear and precise detail. Thanks again, Paul.
It was a surprise to see this behaviour from the mink – the first time I have seen their cunning played out right in front of me. Got to keep the eyes open…always!!!
Thanks Paul!
Hey Scott! glad you enjoyed a blog on a species which doesn’t get featured often. Fascinating to watch them!
its something that never gets old Paul. Good eye indeed.
thanks Scott! Hope you are enjoying some wildlife over on ‘the pond’. Egrets should be pretty active eh? I will have to make a visit one days soon.
Hey Paul, it was nice to meet you at the LCBO last night and to hear about your evening at the Ayr Library. I’m unable to attend that night but let m know if you will be repeating the event in the future. I’m sorry to miss your event. Your photos are amazing!
Cheers Kathe Frazee
Hi Katherine,
Thanks for your note. Nice to chat with you also – I love sharing my stories and images! If you like, I can add you to my mailing list. That’s how I share my blogs/photos and also announce upcoming photo presentations.