I hope you can see this small creature (below bottom left). It's a Pine Marten (Fouine). He was caught on our surveillance camera jumping up into the Greengage tree, then immediately jumping down again on the other side.
We don't see them too often, as they tend to stay in the woods. I did once find one in an abandoned barn, where I was sheltering from a sudden downpour. It was running around like a lunatic trying to catch a panicking Bat. Some hope.
They can be destructive beasts. If they get into your house, especially empty holiday houses, they can create havoc. People have found their homes 'trashed' after a Pine Marten visit.
The are bigger than a Red Squirrel, with a longer tail, and a white flash under their chins. A really beautiful animal.
I just hope he/she hasn't managed to find a way into the house. Down the chimney maybe?
These creatures have been persecuted through time. Long ago they were quite plentiful in The Peak District but now they are extinct in that region. It's wonderful that you caught one on camera like that.
ReplyDeleteIt's much better on the actual video, but I had to grab a 'still'; not ideal. I've seen several over the years, but they're not common. Lovely to see one at the house.
DeleteI googled the pine marten. Ive heard of them but didn't know much about them. Found only on the island of Crete in this area.
ReplyDeleteLovely to have captured him on camera
They really need heavily wooded areas. Lovely animal, like a giant Weasel.
DeleteCro, this won't be a Pine Marten/Marte... the colour is too grey-brown... even on a cheap security camera the difference cab be seen, and this picture doesn't look like a cheap security camera picture.
ReplyDeleteWhat you have is a Beech Martin/Stone Martin/Fouine.... close relative of the Marte... and isn't the one you want around....
Fouines are happy to live around humans and are the ones that trash the place.... the youngsters chew on wiring looms in both houses and cars... they scat all over the shop in loose latrine piles... the real Pine Marten does need heavy woodland [preferably pine and are very unlikely indeed to come this close to human habitation.
Sadly the French don't seem to understand they have two species present and that the ones trashing things are the Fouines... they love our houses... and yes, a cold chimney is a point of access, we've had our chimneys capped in thick mesh to stop both founine access and birds like jackdaws nesting.
But a Marte wouldn't come near an area of habitation!!
Fouines are still lovely beasties though.... lucky you
I really don't know the difference, but this was what we've always called a Fouine. I shall have to consult Mr Wiki.
DeleteI'm not sure if you're right about Beech Marten. I've now looked at photos of them, and they have much more white on their fronts. This one has just a small flash under its chin. I'm sticking by Pine Marten.
DeleteWe don't have them here. I suppose they couldn't swim across the Irish Sea. Perhaps yours will keep down the rodent population?
ReplyDeleteI hope they good for something, other than just looking nice.
DeleteYouTubers in Scotland had a flock of chickens killed by one.
ReplyDeleteThey're very destructive. Vicious killers.
DeleteVicious creatures
ReplyDeleteThey are, but I do like to see them.
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