Mammals
Some of the Mammals that can be seen along the river Banks.
Water Shrew
The largest UK Shrew, it has a long sharp nose, with a tail as long as it’s body, a dense dark grey-brown body and a white under belly. It feeds on insects and worms
Water Vole
Often confused with the Brown rat, the water vole or true water rat, has a broader blunter snout, inconspicuous ears and a short tail. It burrows extensively, and feeds on grasses and water plants. It is an accomplished swimmer, but is under serious threat from the American Mink.
Otter
The largest mammal to be found along the river bank. It is upto 1.2 metres long has a dense briwn body with a white chest and under belly. It has a flattish head, a broad body, with a stout tail. It’s claws are webbed to help it swim. They feed on fish, particularly fond of eels, birds eggs, and crustacean.
Weasel
The smallest mammal carnivore in the UK, it feeds on other rodents such as mice and shrews. It is light brown in colour with a white chest. Often mistaken for it’s much larger cousin the Stoat.
http://www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/cheshire/watch_facts_weasel.htm
Stoat
Much larger than the Weasel, with a slightly darker shade of brown body, and a distinctive black tail end. The stoat feeds on other rodents, as well as birds eggs, and young birds.
http://www.itsnature.org/ground/mammals-land/stoat/
Foxes
The unmistakable fox with it’s long bushy tail, long ears and pointed muzzle. It will eat anything it can find, from fruits and Berries, to birds and their eggs, but also spent salmon kelts washed up on the river banks.