You may or may not have heard the old country saying "Weasles are weasily identified, but Stoats are stoatally different". And they are, despite their visual similarities. The title of this cache is based on its location in Stoat Lane.
Stoat
Scientific name: Mustela erminea
The stoat is a small mustelid, related to the weasel and otter. It has an orange body, black-tipped tail and distinctive bounding gait. Spot it on grassland, heaths and in woodlands across the UK.
Species information
Category: Mammals
Statistics:Length: 24-32cm Tail: 9-14cm Weight: 140-450g
Average lifespan: 2-5 years
Conservation status: Common.
When to see: January to December
The stoat is a small predator, with a long, low-slung body that makes it particularly well suited to hunting small rodents and rabbits. It can easily kill an adult rabbit, which is much larger than itself, with a bite to the base of the skull. Stoats are active by day and night, and are easiest to spot in open habitats, such as sand dunes, grassland and heathland. They mate in summer, but delay implantation of the fertilised egg until the spring of the following year. They have one litter of six to twelve kits a year.
The stoat has an orangey-brown back, a creamy white throat and belly, and a black-tipped tail. It is larger than the similar weasel, has a longer tail and has a distinctive bounding gait, arching its back as it moves; weasels do not bound, but run close to the ground.
Widespread distribution, found throughout the country, although absent from some Scottish islands, the Isles of Scilly and most of the Channel Islands. (Information and photograph from The Wildlife Trusts)
This cache takes advantage of a gap in the map that has recently become available due to a nearby archived cache. As it neatly provides a linking route between two of my loops of caches, I thought it would make sense to grab it before someone else does.
Having lived locally for several years I am still not sure why this track is called Stoat Lane. It has recently been officially designated a Highway, with yellow topped posts declaring it so. I have heard about at least one poor delivery driver ending up in the ditch when trying to drive along it, following SatNav instructions. I don't think it's something I would risk although I do regularly walk and cycle along it. It's also a great place to pick Sloes in Autumn.
The cache is a familiar type of repurposed screw top container, with only a log book inside. Please bring your own pen. There is room for swappables and trackables.