This pine marten is a regular visitor to John and Marilyn MacGillivray's back garden in Glasbheinn Cottages at the east end of Kilchoan. It's a female about six months old.
These super photos were taken out of their kitchen window. The food they put out attracts a wealth of wildlife, particularly birds. They are very proud of the rare water rail that visits them - The Diary is excited about the prospect of a picture.
Pine martens are fascinating creatures to watch. A member of the weasel family, they were persecuted until they became extinct in Britain except in the remoter areas of Scotland, such as the Ardnamurchan peninsula. They are now a protected species, but sightings here suggest they are becoming increasingly common.
While their main natural food is small mammals, fruit, and birds and their eggs, pine martens are such excellent climbers and jumpers that they can catch squirrels. However, they come willingly to gardens, such as Marilyn and John's, where scraps are left out.
Being mainly nocturnal they can be difficult to spot, so the best way to lure them into view is to put out some of their favourite foods, which include peanut butter, raspberry jam and mince pies, and then to sit very patiently and wait.Many thanks to Marilyn & John for the pictures
hello there
ReplyDeleteI give the birds in my garden muesli. in you'll find everything a bird needs., corn, barley, sunflower seeds, oats, wheat, apples, raisins.
Blackbirds, robin, love it. I think the young lady will also feast;
meusli is not that expensive and you can find in all stores
what brilliant pics
ReplyDeleteWhat absolutely fantastic pictures of a really beautiful animal. I will be visiting Kilchoan later this year and am getting very excited by the prospect of seeing some stunning wildlife. Top of the list is a pine marten, followed very closely by basking sharks.
ReplyDelete