Tracks (1 Viewer)

Tree Sparrow

Well-known member

• Feb 26, 2009

• #1

Does anyone know what made these tracks? The library card is 8.5cm wide to give a general idea of size.

Location a wooded glen with a burn and the prints were in the silt at the side of the burn.

I really must get a book on tracks!


TS

 

S

sglynas

Well-known member

• Feb 27, 2009

• #2

Would like to say Otter, but not certain could be Badger

 

Tree Sparrow

Well-known member

• Feb 27, 2009

• #3

I probably didn't explain very well but the prints would be a max of 2cm wide, so not badger or otter. I was thinking along the lines of stoat, pine marten or rabbit/hare, even mink maybe. I know that we have all 5 of those in the area.

Thanks for trying though.

TS

 

U

username

Well-known member

• Feb 27, 2009

• #4

Going on the size/shape i wud have to say mink...i'm no expert....but in recent times have been searching locally for otters and have come across many 'mink impressions' in soft mud.

 

Tree Sparrow

Well-known member

• Feb 27, 2009

• #5

I think you could be right. I've been googling like mad and they did look a bit like a couple of the mink prints I found on the internet. Probably my least favourite thing to have there!

Thanks for the help.

TS

 

P

paulthomas

Well-known member

• Mar 1, 2009

• #6

I'd say they're squirrel tracks.

 

Tree Sparrow

Well-known member

• Mar 2, 2009

• #7

Ooooh, I hadn't even thought of squirrel! I haven't seen any there but you never know. I think I'll put a nut feeder up and see if anything visits. Greys haven't reached here yet so if it is a red squirrel I'm more than happy to encourage it.

Thanks Paul.

TS

 

Mouldy

skywatcher, dragonhunter

• Mar 3, 2009

• #8

Looking in my Collins incomplete guide to British Wildlife I would rule out squirrel, forefeet on squirrel are much longer and thinner, favourite is brown rat but even that not an exact match.

cheers

Alan M.

 

Tree Sparrow

Well-known member

• Mar 4, 2009

• #9

Mouldy said:

Looking in my Collins incomplete guide to British Wildlife I would rule out squirrel, forefeet on squirrel are much longer and thinner, favourite is brown rat but even that not an exact match.

cheers

Alan M.

Click to expand...

Oh yuck! Well I'm sure there are rats about. I know what you mean about not being an exact match..........they don't seem to exactly match any one animal but the prints I photographed were all that were there so it didn't look as if tracks had got mixed up with more than one animal.

I think I'll just have to keep checking for tracks there and hopefully come across some which are more distinctive and actually match one particular animal perfectly. Plus I'll make sure I get a good book.

Thanks for everyones help.

TS

 

D

dunedin

Well-known member

• Mar 4, 2009

• #10

Hi,
For what its worth I would suggest in the lines of a Bank Vole, the size is right 2cm, this is a photo taken from the Collins book to show some comparisons. Take your pick.
http://mikeyb.smugmug.com/photos/485120320_ikTit-L.jpg

 

Tree Sparrow

Well-known member

• Mar 4, 2009

• #11

dunedin said:

Hi,
For what its worth I would suggest in the lines of a Bank Vole, the size is right 2cm, this is a photo taken from the Collins book to show some comparisons. Take your pick.
http://mikeyb.smugmug.com/photos/485120320_ikTit-L.jpg

Click to expand...

Thanks for the photo of the page, much appreciated. The nearest looks like Hamster, which is highly unlikely :-O. It's the top right print in my pic that really confuses me as it's got the four little pad marks in a very regular pattern. I think I give up lol.

TS