Mink - and what?

[Svengali]

I went fishing today in the Cumbrian Derwent, and at one point noticed a pure black animal running along the opposite bank, and eventually diving into the water. I am pretty sure that it was a mink, but it was followed almost immediately by a similar sized animal, which behaved just the same, but this one was a pale grey.
What did I see?
JeremyB

[Svengali]

[Robert_Brenchley]

Probably mink of different colours; they're descended from escapes from fur farms, after all, and you can get mink coats in all sorts of colours. Did they look like the pics here http://www.turtletrack.org/Issues03/Co07262003/CO_07262003_Mink_Raven.htm ? The good news regarding mink is that as otters become more numerous, the mink tend to vanish.

[Merry Tiller]

Perhaps it was the minks grandpa ;D

I'll get me coat :'(

[Svengali]

Yes, I was pretty certain that the black one was a mink, and it makes sense that the other was a colour variation. I'm a ittle surprised, I would have thought that they had been sufficiently long in the wild for them to have become homogonised!
JeremyB

[growmore]

They do come in different colours ..They are becoming  a pest round here on
South yorks rivers... Jim

[RobinOfTheHood]

Really Jim?

Where, cos I've heard and seen nowt....I'd love to see them though.

[growmore]

They are all over in the banks of the Dearne.. Mostly in the holes where the water voles were ..There is an old part near Harlington thats land locked now..Due to them redirecting it..Think you may know where I mean ..Theres a lot down there if you sit quiet  I feel sure you will see some. they are also  in banks of the Don too..Ask any local fishermen near to you they prob will know where to see them ...I have also seen them on banks of a local pond....cheers Jim

[Mrs Ava]

I know they are a pest and a threat to our native beasties, but I do so love to see these larger critters scampering about.  It always takes my breath away when I see a deer in the wilds.  Recently I have been catching glimpses of what I assume is a water vole in the ditch behind my shed at the plot - altho the ditch is currently dry - it leads down to a pond, on private property  >:( - so I guess they are there.  I have never seen a real live mink, only the ones that my nan used to wear when it was fasionable and I was little - so donkeys years ago!

[Robert_Brenchley]

It's probably not a water vole if it's away from water. They used to be all over the place round Oxford, and I never saw one more than a few yards from the river or canal. Their burrows open in the bank, and usually have an underwater entrance.

[RobinOfTheHood]

They are all over in the banks of the Dearne.. Mostly in the holes where the water voles were ..There is an old part near Harlington thats land locked now..Due to them redirecting it..Think you may know where I mean ..Theres a lot down there if you sit quiet  I feel sure you will see some. they are also  in banks of the Don too..Ask any local fishermen near to you they prob will know where to see them ...I have also seen them on banks of a local pond....cheers Jim

Just down from Pastures Lodge near the bridge?

[growmore]

Yes to the left ,,It is called locally Old  Dearne...  Stay on lodge side looking over water to high melton side,  ...cheers Jim