Pine Martens

Description

Describedby some as ‘the Pine Marten Bible’, the first edition of this acclaimed bookhas been extensively revised with the latest findings and developments in therecovery of the species in Britain and Ireland. Johnny Birks deliverscomprehensive, up-to-date information on pine martens in an entertaininglylight-hearted style. Via a quirky blend of humour and science we are ledthrough the species’ ‘Horrendous History’ in Britain and Ireland towards acautiously optimistic concluding chapter on ‘Pine martens, forestry and climatebreakdown’. We learn about the pine marten’s ten close relatives within the’Martes Complex’ (including the troublesome stone marten that destroys carcomponents in Continental Europe); we delve into the species’ ecology andbehaviour – with details presented clearly in boxed sections, charts and tables- and gain insights into its interactions with humans and other animals,including its emerging role in grey squirrel control. Drawing upon threedecades of involvement with this charming mammal in Britain and Ireland, aswell as his many international contacts, Johnny Birks provides personalinsights into the challenges of studying and conserving pine martens acrosstheir Eurasian range: from designing den boxes to satisfy the exactingrequirements of breeding females, through the technicolour world of scatsurveys and the secrets they reveal, to the hope provided by pine martenrecovery supported by translocations and reintroductions. The book is enrichedby Antony Griffiths’ drawings and cheeky cartoons and by Terry Whittaker’sremarkable photographs.