Nature Done Wright

There's an interesting article on Muskrats at

 

 

(note:  the first time you use this link the full article should appear;  but if you go back to it, however, they may ask you to subscribe to see it). 

 

Anyway… in that article, under the subtitle "Threats," one learns that one of the main threats posed by humans to muskrats is the drainage of swamps, there is also a note that: 
 
"Heavy rains, winds, and waves may destroy houses and drown the young."
 
I'd say the extremely wet year we've had in 2011 most certainly took some toll on this species (as well as several others) at the Celery Farm.  
 
But there are other possibilities.

See also this long link:
 
http://books.google.com/books?id=CEzOcVoOP4MC&pg=PA28&lpg=PA28&dq=muskrat+habitat+threats&source=bl&ots=sFhXZon09V&sig=4IpMO-ryzcBbtmUX6-q88bP4SUg&hl=en&sa=X&ei=fZUDT-SeHub40gGgh6CUDg&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=muskrat%20habitat%20threats&f=false

….. which points out that minks love to eat muskrats.

 

If I recall correctly, a few people reported a mink at the CF in the past year.  Perhaps it was munching on these little critters as well?  Owls and hawks will also take them.  
 
Finally, the following site also has some additional general information on threats to muskrats.    
 
http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/57561.html