Tim talks with Andy Harmer & Roy Leigh of Cheshire Mustelidae...

The conversation covers their careers in ecology as well as their extensive extracurricular ecological exploits including Andy and Rachel Hacking’s now legendary Cheshire Active Naturalists (CAN) group. But the main thing I wanted to talk to them about was their current project, Cheshire Mustelidae: Coordinating the recording of mustelids in Cheshire, and sharing sightings, photos etc. 

They say trying to see a stoat or weasel is like going out to find a rainbow, virtually impossible. So this project means cunning, stealth and ingenuity. To find the stoat you must become the stoat! So how do they do it? 

Thanks:
Stacey Body - Production
Kelly Lomas & Gif Lemon - Artwork
'Still Pickin', Kevin Macleod - Theme tune

Related links:

Cheshire Mustelidae Facebook group:
https://www.Facebook.com/groups/184398295514886

Paul Hudson’s sand lizard breeding enclosure
https://www.arc-trust.org/news/pauls-new-lizard-lounge

John Poland’s vegetative key
https://bsbi.org/vegkey

Pine Martens in Cheshire? Some interesting discussion in this old Cheshire Mammal Group newsletter:
http://www.record-lrc.co.uk/Downloads/cheshire%20mammal%20group%20newsletter%200%20-%20Spring%202005[14032009].pdf

Mostela and jiggler info on The Small Mustelid Foundation site:
https://stichtingkleinemarters.nl/small-mustelid-foundation/

rECOrd Local Records Centre
http://www.record-lrc.co.uk/

Weasel on a woodpecker
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31711446