A fierce predator

Walking on the country path between Bainton ponds and Barnack i observed
nature at its cruelist. A rabbit came dashing passed almost brushing my legs followed in hot pursuit by a male stoat. 2 mins later the rabbit followed by the stoat came back in the opposite direction crashing through the undergrowth and out into the open field. There was loud squealing as the stoat gave a fatal bite to the neck of the frightened rabbit.

I walked back towards them and the stoat saw me and ran back to the hedge to hide behind a tree. I stood there for a few minutes and every now and then the stoat would peep his head out to see if i was still there. Eventually he was more defiant and came out and sat upright just staring at me intently. Finally he decided i wasn't going to move so he went accross to the rabbit and slowly dragged it back behind the same tree. I walked by and he hid down a rabbit hole, no doubt returning to consume his prize once i had gone.

It's amazing how strong stoats are that they can attack a full grown rabbit 3 times there size.

I saw a party of 11 bullfinches near the ponds. 6 males and 5 females. Also 8 bullfinches at Bainton Pits on Saturday. It's pleasing to know that there seems to be good numbers around locally as this is a bird that has suffered large declines in its numbers over recent years.

Fridat morning we had a Little Egret sitting in the long grass in the paddock next to our garden for about 5 minutes before taking off.