Breakdancing on WeaselCam

WeaselCam has been away on tour again, back to Elemore Park in County Durham.  This was where we saw the Greater White-toothed Shrew but because it is a nature reserve evolved from a municipal golf course it has a lot of grass, therefore a lot of field voles, and therefore a lot of weasels.  The camera was there throughout December and recorded four weasel visits.  The box probably smells of mice and voles (which also visit) so the weasel is searching out of curiosity in case there might be something to eat.  As far as I can tell from the gular (under chin) spots it was always the same one and it may even be the same one as last time.  Here is what it got up to. On the first video there was background noise from earthmoving machinery and traffic.

The second time the weasel was bouncing around even more, a bit like the "death dance" of a stoat, which is said to be a way of hypnotising its prey.

Here is an excerpt from the same video, at half speed to show more clearly some of its breakdancing moves.

Each time the weasel visited it was around for two or three minutes.  You can see the advantage of my design of camera box, with a view down one of the entrance pipes, as we can see the weasel coming in and out and going back to check the entrance.

On the last visit the weasel was banging around behind the camera.  I think it must have been practising its dance moves as there is nothing round the back, just an empty space.  Perhaps I need another camera pointing backwards to see what is going on.

The camera is still in place, hoping to record more shrew activity, but I expect we'll also see more of the weasel.