Mustelid mystery

 This post is very simply a plea for assistance. Whilst Bev and I were on Corfu, last September/October, I found the skull of a small animal which had been victim of road kill. The bones of the main body were generally stripped clean of flesh, although the skull retained some fur which was fairly nondescript dark brown. My guess being that it was of a similar size to the Mink which I see regularly down on the banks of the RMC. I am aware that Rock Marten is a likely id, although haven't been able to rule out Polecat or any other similar sized animal. I've had the skull soaking in a very weak bleach solution since we got home. In all honesty, I'd completely forgotten about it until my grandson, Harry, asked where the skull was?

I've taken a few images, with a ruler to provide an accurate scale, in the hope that someone will be able to provide a positive id. 

A step too far?

For over sixty-eight years and a half  I've been on this planet and I am now feeling the effects of this aging process. The physical effort needed to get me, and my tackle, out onto the marsh is pushing my arthritic limbs beyond anything I've previously experienced. So what I'd hoped to do, in relation to a Tench campaign, might not be quite as realistic as I'd previously hoped. I'm certainly not throwing in the towel, just yet, but recognise that there is a requirement for "common sense" to play a role. The one thing which is certain will be my inability to conduct three sessions a week - one might be pushing it?

I used my weed rake for over one and a half hours to clear this swim, yet the weed growth still
caused issues with rig presentation.

Away from my angling, the garden moth trap continues to provide interst whilst the local Hedgehogs are as entertaining as ever. There is a very clever (?) individual which is now happy to turn up at the feeding bowls before the light has faded. It doesn't matter what's on offer in the Hedgehog bowl, it's the scraps in the Fox bowl which seem to be favoured. Whatever Bev and I don't eat will be placed in the Fox bowl and, this week, has included southern fried chicken, pasta and cheesy chips, the Hedgehog being happy to sample everything on offer in preference to Baker's Meaty Meals and Tesco Kitten biscuits.

Despite the masses of Red Valerian around the bungalow, I've still not seen a Humming-bird Hawk-moth in 2024 and if we can't get out ro Greece probably might not given the weather patterns we're experiencing this year. The complete lack of migrant moth species, which are so obvious because of their abscence, is well outside anything I've experienced in previous years. That it is noteable to spot a Silver Y or Diamond Back says it all. It is still nice to be able to look at these wondrous group of insects and be amazed at the diversity that is there to be looked at each morning.

Red-barred Tortrix

Hawthorn Knot-horn

Cock's-head Belle

Broad-barred White

The medical situation that Bev and I are still negotiating our way through should have some further detail on Thursday, after a consultation meeting via a phone call, and may provide a light at the end of the tunnel?