Anja Murray: If you manage to spot a stoat, let the first-ever Irish stoat survey know

The main difference between 'Mustela erminea hibernica' and their British and continental cousins is that Irish stoats keep their rich brown colouring throughout the year, while British and European stoats turn white in winter

Irish Stoat (Mustela erminea Hibernica) Picture: Carl Morrow / Irish Stoat Survey

It's almost the end of summer and the weather for July and August was pretty dire in most parts of the country. Wind and drizzle make hikes through the hills and seaside rambles so much less appealing. The summer hasn’t really felt much like ‘summer’. This week, as little ones and teens return to school, the chances of a late season bout of warmth and sunshine is narrowing, even in the eyes of optimists like myself.

For most of us here in Ireland, poor weather is mostly a disappointment and an inconvenience. Wild mammals depend more directly on their immediate environment for food and shelter, without the buffers we have. So I wonder what it's like for them sending their young out into the world as autumn approaches now.