My previous attempts at filming a weasel collecting food were thwarted by its high speed smash-and-grab technique - all we could see was a blur as it departed. This time I had two mice and I thought if I put them both out the weasel might be spoilt for choice. And it worked.
The mice were fresh and only four hours after I put them in the camera box a male weasel turned up. As you will see in the video, he was very undecided but eventually took one mouse away. He was back very early next morning and brought the rather chewed mouse with him. He obviously knew the second mouse was there but left again with the first one.
Four hours later he was back and took the second mouse, seeming to play fight with it before he left. Another two hours later he returned, apparently without the mouse, but I think it was just outside because after another minute he threw it back in, just as an ambulance went by. After checking to see whether it was an ambulance or a police car he returned for his prize and left.
I knew weasels were in the habit of carrying their food around but it is fascinating to see it. Because of their small size, body shape and hyperactive lifestyle weasels need to eat one third of their body weight in a day, roughly one mouse a day. If they are able to catch more than this they will cache food for later, presumably not bothered if it is a bit ripe.
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