In the shadowy depths of Ireland’s woodlands, mossy banks and towering trees, roam our rarest native mammal, the pine marten (martes martes). You’ll recognise its dark brown fur, a creamy bib on its throat, its bushy tail lost among the rustling leaves.
Though its journey has been fraught with hardship – persecution, decline, and the shadows of human folly – the pine marten persist. Once omnipresent, its decline in the 20th century echoed a lamentable tale of fur hunting and habitat loss, teetering on the edge of extinction. Spurred by legal protection, a ban on strychnine poison, a burgeoning tree cover and the expansion of forestry, a resurgence started happening.
“Cat crainn” (tree cat) in Irish, hinting at its habitat in the trees as well as at its small stature, no larger than a domestic cat. A true omnivore, the pine marten’s inquisitive nature and keen hunting skills may surprise given its slenderness, allowing it to hold its own against adversaries much larger than itself.
In its quest for sustenance, it is worth noting that the pine marten becomes an unwitting ally in the conservation of native red squirrel populations, as its appetite for the invasive grey squirrel proves to be a serendipitous benefit.
As it adapts to its changing environment, it often takes refuge in attics, which annoys homeowners. Despite its diverse diet – embracing everything from meat to nuts and berries – the pine marten’s weakness for raiding bird feeders, scavenging from bins and hunting domestic fowl sometimes proves to be problematic. There is a silver lining : efforts are underway to create alternative denning sites and promote peaceful coexistence between humans and martens.
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Join us at the Ballinrobe Festival to discover the fascinating world of pine martens!
What: A talk on Pine Marten’s by NPWS Conservation Ranger, Brian Hughes (in collaboration with Ballinrobe Tidy Towns and the Ballinrobe festival)
When: Sunday 21st July From 1-3 pm
Where: The Parish Centre, Ballinrobe F31TY03
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn all about these incredible creatures from an expert in the field!
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The return of pine martens supports the health of our forests and climate. As they move closer to human areas, they blur the line between coexistence and conflict, reminding us of our responsibility as caretakers of their forest home.
So keep an ear out for the gentle padding of paws and the rustle of leaves—a reminder that even in the midst of the bustle of civilization, there’s a life worth protecting.
The most delicate leaves, green and humble and finally fading, who not one person pays attention to, but who nevertheless thrive in silence, beneath the sinking sun. You are just thinking about life which runs through plants and trees.
References :
Murray, A. (2024). Anja Murray : Our rarest native mammal — the pine marten — is making a comeback. Irish Examiner. https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/outdoors/arid-41300740.html
Hurley, J. (2023). Pine Marten numbers are rising steadily. Irish Independent. https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wexford/lifestyle/pine-marten-numbers-are-rising-steadily/42280760.html
Green News Ireland.. (2018). Living in harmony with our precious pine marten. Green News Ireland. https://greennews.ie/living-harmony-precious-pine-marten/
Pine marten (Martes martes) | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. (2019). DAERA. https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/pine-marten-martes-martes
Photos from https://pinemarten.ie/gallery/pine-martens/
Robert Cruikshanks & Maurice Flynn
