HABITAT USE BY MALE MINK IN RELATION TO WETLAND CHARACTERISTICS AND AVIAN PREY ABUNDANCES

Use of wetland habitats by radio-marked male Mustela vison was documented in the aspen parklands of SW Manitoba during May-July. Mink activity was most frequent on large, well-flooded, semipermanent and permanent wetlands with irregular shorelines and large areas of open water. These variables were also positively correlated with abundances of waterfowl and other birds. Habitat variables explained 26% of the variation in wetland use by male mink. Bird abundances explained nearly as much variation in habitat use by mink as did physical habitat variables, but some of this association may have been due to selection for (or avoidance of) similar habitats. Combined analysis with habitat and avifaunal variables explained 31% of the variation in wetland use by male mink. -from Authors