The Pine Marten is one of the most elusive animals to spot in the wild. They have dark-brown hair with a very distinctive yellow or white throat patch. They are about the size of a small domestic cat and sport a long bushy tail.
Pine Martens form part of the Mustelidae family of carnivorous mammals. This diverse group includes otters, ferrets, badgers, wolverines, and mink.
Mankind’s Impact on Pine Marten
Pine Martens together with their dens are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and are classified as a priority species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. It is illegal to trap sell or disturb them unless it is under license.
By 1926, the Pine Marten population in the UK was virtually extinct with just a small population in Scotland, Wales, and the Lake District. Persecution by gamekeepers and deforestation was the predominant cause. Additionally, poachers trapped and killed them for their fur.
Populations are now increasing, albeit, estimates support that there are only somewhere between 3 to 4000 individuals in the UK as a whole. Despite the protected status of Pine Martens, there are multiple deaths each year through poisoned traps aimed at foxes and other predatory animals.
Conservation Status
Pine Marten Diet
Pine Martens are predominantly nocturnal, hunting a night, and resting in the day. They have an acute vision as well as a sense of smell, which enables them to find and hunt prey. A carnivorous animal, they favor small mammals such as mice, rabbits, voles, etc. They will also eat birds as well as amphibians.
Interestingly, the resurgence of Pine Martens has helped the native red squirrel population recover. The grey squirrel is virtually oblivious to the predatory threat of Pine Martens and often forms part of the Pine Martens diet. When their carnivorous prey is scarce, they eat fruit and berries.
Habitat
The Scottish Highlands are the main habitat for Pine Martens, as well as isolated populations in the south of Scotland, and Northern Ireland. By the end of the 20th century, Pine Martens were pretty much extinct in England and Wales. However, they have since recovered, with small confirmed populations observed in some areas of England as well as Wales, and larger populations in Scotland. The Pine Martens thrive in woodlands, where they live in holes inside trees, as well as old birds’ nests and squirrel dreys.
Notably, they sometimes set up their dens in the fallen root masses of Scottish pine trees, and it is this association that perhaps earned them their curious name. Their territories span up to 25 square kilometers, though this very much depends on the availability of food.
Note that this map is for a rough illustration of animal distribution across the UK.
Behavior
Pine Martens are fantastic climbers and can leap between branches up to 1.3m, and can endure falls of up to 6m without succumbing to injuries. Despite this, they normally feed on the ground. They hunt alone and mark their territories with scats (feces) to ward off other Pine Martens. During the mating season, they can often be heard making cat-like noises. The females have litters of up to 3-5 individuals, which are born without fur and blind. Youngsters are all weaned and independent by the summer.
Stats
Their average lifespan is 10 years. The adult body length is up to 45cm, with a further 25cm for tail length. They weigh between 0.9 – 1.7kg.
Pine Marten Natural Predators
It is known for them to be hunted by golden eagles, foxes, and even the Scottish wildcat.
Where & When To Photograph Pine Martens
Because they are active all year round, there are always opportunities to spot them. Albeit, the Pine Marten is notoriously difficult to spot in the wild. The best opportunity to get photographs is to visit some of the dedicated hides located in Scotland. Here is a curated list of some of the best:
1) The Cairngorm Wildlife Pine Marten photography hide
2) Aigas Field Centre in Beauly
3) Scottish Photography Hides in Kirkcudbright
Many people attract them to their gardens and birdhouses using nuts such as peanuts, hazelnuts, as well as peanut butter which they love. Don’t be tempted to put out jam for them! Some people do this, but it rots their teeth!
Camera & Settings
Whether you are photographing during the day or at night time, I recommend a 300-500mm focal length. If you are shooting from a commercial hide, however, please check with the hide owner as they may have specific requirements. For daytime photography, I recommend a shutter speed of between 1/500s and 1/800s to ensure you get nice sharp images. For nighttime photography, you will need to mount your camera on a gimbal or tripod. You will need between one and three flashlights, and a floodlight so that your camera can focus. Ideally, you want to trigger the flashlights remotely from your camera, but you can of course hard wire them.
Typically the settings are manual mode, ISO 100-200, f/7.1, and 1/200s synchronized with your flashlights. You may need to adjust settings to suit your gear. The good news is, if you are shooting from a commercial hide, they will often have the lighting set up for you and provide a remote trigger for you to use!
If you are interested in Pine Marten prints, then please head across to my Pine Marten Gallery
References
Map distribution data interpolated based on JNCC data.
