Pine Marten not so cute after all! (2 Viewers)

[Robert / Seattle]

They're not supposed to be "cute". It's no different than a lion taking down a zebra. Not pretty, but not ugly, either. It is what it is -- nature is amoral, neither bad nor good.

Watch and enjoy. They are not here for us to regard them as cute, or magnificent, or otherwise. They are simply here.

Watch and enjoy. And learn.

 

[Farnboro John]

If you want to see Pine Martens then Ardnamurchan is the place. Night drive views are often a lot more than a couple of seconds, and many of the holiday cottages have regular visiting martens that come to bait. Alternatively you could bait a likely looking picnic site, you can bet the martens check them regularly.

They are intermittently active 24/7 so you can run into them during the day as well.

I have also seen them during the day in Glen Affric while looking for dragonflies (which years ago was touted as having a dense population).

They are not as easy as Otters but a darn sight easier than Wildcats!

John

 

[Brosnabirder]

www.coford.ie/iopen24/pub/pub/irishsquirrelsurvey2007revised.pdf has info on both Squirrel populations in Ireland and how they coincide with Pine Marten populations. Interestingly (as Sancho mentions above) the authors suggest that recent local declines in Grey Squirrel numbers might be a factor of an expanding Marten population which in turn is protecting populations of Red Squirrel numbers. Very attractive theory. Well worth a read.

Also any Marten sighting I've had has been during the day. Usually getting on for evening but still in daylight. Think they become more visible from April onwards as there are kits to feed and so must hunt more. Later on in the year (Sept/Oct) the kits disperse and may be seen. Unfortunately they also are found as road kill. Maybe they take a while to learn of the dangers of traffic.
I hope anybody who wants to see one does so. Its a real treat

 

[jurek]

In Poland they used to make knots in horse manes.

For real, martens are major predators of hole-nesting birds. They remember individual holes and check them repeatedly. So nest boxes for rarer birds, e.g. little owls, are fitted with extra panel to keep curious paws out. But birds, naturally, survive fine.

If anyone wants to see one, try head-torch giving white light (not LED lamp) and walk minor forest roads after dusk. I seen them often this way, eyeshine is yellow and clear. Martens are usually found on ground, just occasionally climbing trees. They often follow roads, too.

 

[Sandra (Taylor)]

We have stayed at a self catering property about 6 times over the years where pine marten (sometimes 2 or 3 at once) would come to 'bait' right under the sitting room window. This is near Invergarry and I would recommend the house to anyone.

Sandra

 

[Brosnabirder]

In Poland they used to make knots in horse manes.

For real, martens are major predators of hole-nesting birds. They remember individual holes and check them repeatedly. So nest boxes for rarer birds, e.g. little owls, are fitted with extra panel to keep curious paws out. But birds, naturally, survive fine.

If anyone wants to see one, try head-torch giving white light (not LED lamp) and walk minor forest roads after dusk. I seen them often this way, eyeshine is yellow and clear. Martens are usually found on ground, just occasionally climbing trees. They often follow roads, too.

Knots in horses manes
Interesting stuff about the eye shine. Does it differ from say Cats Foxes and Mink?
Never thought about using eye shine differences to tell one Mammal from another although I'll probably be told its common practice. Thanks for the tip

 

[jurek]

Fox and cat eyes are bigger and more spread. Never seen a mink in spotlight. You tell eyeshine usually by animal movements or see at least outline of animal in light.

With eyeshine, your only problem is to have torch at eye-level (head lamp, or, as I do, little strong torch on rubber band above your ear). Predators usually freeze and watch you, then follow normal routine. Marten is funny, because its eyeshine bounces up and down.

 

[Jos Stratford]

Never thought about using eye shine differences to tell one Mammal from another although I'll probably be told its common practice. Thanks for the tip

In Africa, it is quite common practice - not only by size and intensity of the eye shine, and distance apart, but also by nearness to the ground and 'behaviour' of the eyes, etc, eg 200 eyes 'dancing' are almost certainly Impala; low, very bright probably a mongoose of some description; high bright Waterbuck, etc. A grey lump with no eye shine that is about to squash you is an elephant!

It is not perfect, but helps and can dictate which eyes are worthy of approach for better view.

 

[Jos Stratford]

With eyeshine, your only problem is to have torch at eye-level .

This is important - if you carry the spotlight at 'normal' height, ie near the waist, you will see only a fraction of the reflected eyes.

 

[Gomphus]

Hi all,

I took this shot in 1996 on that ancient medium of film and was just reminded to scan it by this thread. Now this was taken near Kinlochewe and was behind a craft shop I think, we attracted it with a shortbread biscuit:-O. I heard the shop had stopped feeding them just after, does anyone know as these were awsome as they showed really well in daylight! We saw at least two individuals at this site for a good amount of time.

Cheers

 

[Brosnabirder]

Thanks for tips about eye shine.
Nice pic Gomphus.
Scottish Martens and shortbread eh. Maybe Irish Martens would prefer soda bread Now what would Polish Martens prefer |:S|

 

[jurek]

Bah! Everybody raised on East European small-scale, aromatic bakery with it's crunchy skin turns nose from anything else.

 

[Atricapilla]

I am going to start baiting my patch with the usual Jam sandwiches and some one mentioned putting out peanut butter sandwiches as well,so hopefully in the near future I will have some shots.
Beech martens are supposed to be more common in my area than Pine so watch this space.
Lets hope I don't bump into an irate female wild boar in the process !!!!!!

 

[redeyedvideo]

And I though they only ate peanut butter and peanuts...

 

[Atricapilla]

And I though they only ate peanut butter and peanuts...

Excellent Dave,and I suppose if I just spread the peanut butter on a log or something it will keep them in the shot for longer rather a sandwich,fingers crossed.

 

[Farnboro John]

Hi all,

I took this shot in 1996 on that ancient medium of film and was just reminded to scan it by this thread. Now this was taken near Kinlochewe and was behind a craft shop I think, we attracted it with a shortbread biscuit:-O. I heard the shop had stopped feeding them just after, does anyone know as these were awsome as they showed really well in daylight! We saw at least two individuals at this site for a good amount of time.

Cheers

I also took my first Pine Marten photos there, but not long after the shop changed hands and the new proprietors were much less wildlife (and wildlife watcher) friendly, so I think it has fallen into disuse. I had awful weather but with the animal six feet away (no hide or anything - a real joy of a wildlife encounter) it didn't really matter!

I remember the original bloke running the place had started by giving them jam butties but because the martens could run off with them he switched to shortbread, which crumbled and kept them there longer picking up the bits.

More recent updates would be welcome?

John

 

[Farnboro John]

In Africa, it is quite common practice - not only by size and intensity of the eye shine, and distance apart, but also by nearness to the ground and 'behaviour' of the eyes, etc, eg 200 eyes 'dancing' are almost certainly Impala; low, very bright probably a mongoose of some description; high bright Waterbuck, etc. A grey lump with no eye shine that is about to squash you is an elephant!

It is not perfect, but helps and can dictate which eyes are worthy of approach for better view.

Elelphants have a reputation for charging straight down the beam, as well, so if you think you have one, shine the torch somewhere else!

John

 

[amelia1730]

If you want to see Pine Martens then Ardnamurchan is the place. Night drive views are often a lot more than a couple of seconds, and many of the holiday cottages have regular visiting martens that come to bait.

Might be staying at Strontian! Perhaps I am in with a chance.............

 

[Leitrimlives]

Pine Martens in Ireland

Hi, just joined BirdForum, and saw this topic. Pine Martens are common enough around where I live. Have seen 2 road kills in the last few years, but between myself and the family, have seen them on about 10 occasions. Fantastic creatures.

Incidentally, nearly had a stand-up row with a local sheep-farmer's wife some time ago. She said they had trapped and killed 2 Pine Martens because they "might kill the lambs". They're a protected species, as far as I know. When I was a student, in the south, I would have given anything to see a Pine Marten, but they were much less common then. They seem to be increasing steadily, and good on them. I know where they are, but I won't disturb them. Just enjoy the occasional glimpse, or see where they have been!

Best wishes,

F.

 

[Spirit Wolf]

Welcome to nature...something that in all reality isn't very peaceful and is filled with death and survival of the fittest. In its own way, it is peaceful, but by no means does it mean it's tame in any way. Pine Marten are still cute...but they are a predator.

God Bless,
Joshua