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Pine Marten - Martes martes
Pine martens are found in the Scottish Highlands and Grampians, with isolated populations in southern Scotland. In England and North Wales pine martens seem to be on the verge of extinction. They are widespread and relatively common in Ireland. Although they occur in a wide range of habitats, pine martens prefer well-wooded areas with plenty of cover.
Diet: Pine martens are generalist predators, feeding on small rodents, birds, beetles, carrion, eggs and fungi. In autumn, berries are a staple.
General Ecology: Marten dens are commonly found in hollow trees or the fallen root masses of Scots pines, an association that probably earned pine martens their name; cairns and cliffs covered with scrub are frequently used as alternative den sites. Martens have territories that vary in size according to habitat and food availability. For males, these are about 10-25 square kilometres and for females about 5-15 square kilometres. They mark their territories with faeces (known as scats) deposited in places where they are conspicuous to other martens; they are frequently left along forestry trails.
Breeding: Young martens are born blind and hairless, in litters of 1-5, in early spring and stay with their mothers for about six weeks. Their eyes open at the end of May and by mid-June they begin to emerge from their den. Male martens play no direct part in rearing the young.
Conservation Status: Martens and their dens are fully protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981); martens must not be trapped, sold or disturbed except under licence from Scottish Natural Heritage, the Countryside Council for Wales or Natural England. Despite this legal protection, poisoned baits and traps, often set for hooded crows and foxes, still probably account for many marten deaths each year. Others are also shot at hen houses, and some are killed when mistaken for mink.
Until the 19th Century, pine martens were found throughout much of mainland Britain, the Isle of Wight and some of the Scottish islands. Habitat fragmentation, persecution by gamekeepers and martens being killed for their fur, drastically reduced this distribution. By 1926, the main pine marten population in Britain was restricted to a small area of north-west Scotland, with small numbers in N Wales and the Lake District. They have now increased their range in Scotland, and now occur throughout the Highlands, N of the Central Belt but remains one of the rarest native mammals in Great Britain, with a total population of around 3-4,000, but Ireland probably also has as many.
The Devon Artist, Paul Hopkinson, puts the finishing touches to a watercolour painting based on my photograph of a Pine Marten. To see examples of Paul’s outstanding work and learn how to paint realistic wildlife, go to: devonartist.co.uk
What wonderful creatures, but they can be vicious with their prey. I love their expressions and their curious nature.
A male Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) roosts in the mixed woods near Switzer Lake north of Hinton, Alberta, Canada.
4 March, 2016.
Slide # GWB_20160304_7083.CR2
Use of this image on websites, blogs or other media without explicit permission is not permitted.
© Gerard W. Beyersbergen - All Rights Reserved Worldwide In Perpetuity - No Unauthorized Use.
Pine Siskins are an irruptive finch species. Some years, they seem to be everywhere. This year they are quite scarce in my area.
William Hawrelak Park. Edmonton, Alberta.
Posted for Fence Fridays.
This is the same fence I posted two weeks ago, except this is taken from the bottom. See first comment for previous image.
Male Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator) resting in the aspen woods near Thorhild, Alberta, Canada.
22 January, 2018.
Slide # GWB_20180122_8021.CR2
Use of this image on websites, blogs or other media without explicit permission is not permitted.
© Gerard W. Beyersbergen - All Rights Reserved Worldwide In Perpetuity - No Unauthorized Use.
Perthshire, Scotland
I didn't notice it at the time, but this Pine Marten has picked up a passenger on his nose - presumably a tick or a spider
Happy Friday everyone! I'll be posting a few more images of this beautiful creature over the weekend. Have a good one!
A Pine Siskin (Carduelis pinus) in the aspen parkland region east of aEdmonton, Alberta, Canada.
12 August, 2019.
Slide # GWB_20190812_9614.CR2
Use of this image on websites, blogs or other media without explicit permission is not permitted.
© Gerard W. Beyersbergen - All Rights Reserved Worldwide In Perpetuity - No Unauthorized Use.
You can live years next door to a big pine tree, honored to have so venerable a neighbor, even when it sheds needles all over your flowers or wakes you, dropping big cones onto your deck at still of night.
-Denise Levertov
Thanks for your visit and taking the time to comment so I can visit your photos, too... very much appreciated! Have a great day!🙋♀️
A male Pine Grosbeak was feeding on the fresh berries in the afternoon light.
Happy new year to all my flickr friends. May the New Year bring you happiness, peace, and prosperity. Wishing you a joyous 2022!
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I spotted a large group of goldfinches in a tree, and went around for a better angle, when I find this pine siskin gathering nesting materials nearby. Made a better subject!