Mink raft cam - Part 1

This Mink raft has been sitting at the back of our storage shed for years (I got bored with it as it never seemed to turn up any signs in the tracking pad). After recently seeing trail camera footage online of the another raft, it showed a range of riverside species taking quite an interest. I thought I'd give it another try, leaving it anchored to the bank for now rather than floating.

Testing.... still can never tell whether it is on.

A curious European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)

This rather annoying Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) became obsessed, filling up most of the memory card. It had a good chew on the raft corners.

Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) - one of my favourite waterside birds; also a red-listed species

Eurasian Jays (Garrulus glandarius) always seem interested by the advanced technology. 

You can hear the Grey Wagtail calling in the background

An indecisive Wood Mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus), or might be a small Yellow-necked Mouse

The weather takes a turn for the worse. Meanwhile I'm away in London, completely oblivious to the storm...

Uh oh, really should have brought the camera in on the Friday!

Phew, got away with it this time - the water has receded quite a bit.

Now something WAS just on the right hand corner of the raft in that final clip; you can hear as it splashes into the water. What could it have been, a Mallard? Moorhen? A mystery wetland mammal?!

I'll put this camera out again when the weather improves, although perhaps aim for a wider angle (and safer height).