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Scottish wildlife ops...
- Thread starter Hertsman
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- john
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A certain Pro photographer, who shall remain nameless, did tell me that he was failing completely at attracting Pine Martens until he discovered this:
https://www.tesco.com/groceries/pro...gclid=CNDQmZOL4dICFUS3GwodpRcDqQ&gclsrc=aw.ds
He may have been winding me up - but he did have some lovely Pine Marten shots!
https://www.tesco.com/groceries/pro...gclid=CNDQmZOL4dICFUS3GwodpRcDqQ&gclsrc=aw.ds
He may have been winding me up - but he did have some lovely Pine Marten shots!
Tringa
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No, he was not winding you up, John.
Pine Martens like sweet things (though I have used cheap raspberry jam) so jam sandwiches go down well. They will also eat peanuts. Where they are being fed seeing them is easy. They learn quickly and regularly visit places where food is provided.
Seeing them in the wild is something else, I think. I've been fortunate to have visited NW Scotland about 4 or 5 times a year for the last 10 years and have seen one Pine Marten in the wild - ie not in a place where food is provided.
You could ask around the area where you are staying but be aware some folks do not like Pine Martens.
Dave
Pine Martens like sweet things (though I have used cheap raspberry jam) so jam sandwiches go down well. They will also eat peanuts. Where they are being fed seeing them is easy. They learn quickly and regularly visit places where food is provided.
Seeing them in the wild is something else, I think. I've been fortunate to have visited NW Scotland about 4 or 5 times a year for the last 10 years and have seen one Pine Marten in the wild - ie not in a place where food is provided.
You could ask around the area where you are staying but be aware some folks do not like Pine Martens.
Dave
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- Jan
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I know the same general area as Dave (Tringa) although I don't get up there as often (once a year but not every year). I've seen one pine marten (running across the road in front of the car). Some locals do generally regard them as pests. They can cause a lot of damage in the wrong place.
Tringa
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My one sighting of a wild marten was the same, Jan.
As with any predator, what is said is a mixture of truth and rubbish. Poultry, unless well protected, are an easy target for something that can climb, jump and squeeze as well as a pine marten and I have no doubt they will take chickens, and anything else available. I have also heard, second hand admittedly, of someone in central Scotland who wanted to know how they could trap and kill pine martens because they kill dogs!
Dave
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- Mark Molloy
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Eggs work as well as anything. Jam etc works but isnt part of their natural diet so isnt thought to be good for them. Peanut butter is another commonly used. Area around loch sheidaig But it will be difficult unless they have been baited in the past and get used to finding food in certain areas.
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Apparently they're being relocated to the area so I guess the answer is 'no'. You may see white tailed eagles though.
Tringa
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First time I saw a pine marten take an egg I was surprised just how far it could open its mouth. I too have concerns about too much jam so I've tended towards using more peanuts (also not natural but perhaps a bit healthier than jam) mixed with just a little jam. I've also tried a bit of raw chicken but it got left.
White tailed eagles have nested on one of the islands in Loch Maree didn't breed there last year. There was, I've heard but not seen, a pair on the island in Loch Shieldaig.
As with a lot of wildlife sightings there is a lot of luck involved. Last Novemeber I saw two white tailed eagles over Loch Gairloch within 10 minutes but hadn't seen any in my previous 5 visits there.
Good luck with your trip, Mark
Dave
White tailed eagles have nested on one of the islands in Loch Maree didn't breed there last year. There was, I've heard but not seen, a pair on the island in Loch Shieldaig.
As with a lot of wildlife sightings there is a lot of luck involved. Last Novemeber I saw two white tailed eagles over Loch Gairloch within 10 minutes but hadn't seen any in my previous 5 visits there.
Good luck with your trip, Mark
Dave
Tringa
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Mark, if you don't know this site have a look at Walkhighlands ( https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/ ). Loads of walks, to suit all tastes, and photos of them all over Scotland.
Dave
Dave