ANNUAL EXHIBITION 2021
MINKS
American Mink (Neovison vison), South Beach
Photograph by Todd McCormack
One of the biggest natural history surprises of the past decade on Fishers Island has been the explosion of the Mink population. They have been spotted from one end of the island to the other, including at the Big Club, on the Rec Path, at Silver Eel Cove, at Hay Harbor, at numerous beaches, in gardens, on driveways, etc.
American Mink at South Beach with captured Tautog fish
Photograph by Todd McCormack
Mink have clearly found the food supply on Fishers Island ample and to their liking. While their favorite food is the common muskrat, they will also eat rabbits, mice, squirrels, chipmunks, frogs, snakes, young turtles, birds, crustaceans, and, of course, fish, as we can see here.
American Mink (Neovison vison) at South Beach with captured Tautog fish
Photograph by Todd McCormack
“The mink is a highly developed predator with excellent eyesight and ultrasonic hearing in the range produced by their potential prey. They are accomplished swimmers, able to dive to depths of over 18 feet and swim underwater more than 90 feet. They’re skilled tree climbers who can jump from tree to tree and descend from trees head first.” Quote from “American Mink (Neovison vison)” by Terry McNamara, Nature Notes, HLFM Newsletter, 2018.
Closeup of the face of an American Mink
Photograph by Connor Jones
The mink has few natural predators on Fishers Island, excepting the Coyote, the Great Horned Owl, and the Red-tailed Hawk.
This remarkable closeup of a mink along the shoreline was taken from the Hay Harbor Club Swimming Dock.
Red-tailed Hawk carrying off young mink prey from HHC Golf Course
August 2018
Photo by Tommy Colman
Mink on rocks at Silver Eel Cove
July 24, 2019
Photograph by Emily McCue
Mink on rocks at Silver Eel Cove
July 24, 2019
Photgraph by Anthony Denora
Annual exhibition sponsored by ALTUS Partners & CHUBB
