Pine Martens

Described by some as 'the Pine Marten Bible', the first edition of this acclaimed book has been extensively revised with the latest findings and developments in the recovery of the species in Britain and Ireland. Johnny Birks delivers comprehensive, up-to-date information on pine martens in an entertainingly light-hearted style. Via a quirky blend of humour and science we are led through the species' 'Horrendous History' in Britain and Ireland towards a cautiously optimistic concluding chapter on 'Pine martens, forestry and climate breakdown'. We learn about the pine marten's ten close relatives within the 'Martes Complex' (including the troublesome stone marten that destroys car components in Continental Europe); we delve into the species' ecology and behaviour - 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 three decades of involvement with this charming mammal in Britain and Ireland, as well as his many international contacts, Johnny Birks provides personal insights into the challenges of studying and conserving pine martens across their Eurasian range: from designing den boxes to satisfy the exacting requirements of breeding females, through the technicolour world of scat surveys and the secrets they reveal, to the hope provided by pine marten recovery supported by translocations and reintroductions. The book is enriched by Antony Griffiths' drawings and cheeky cartoons and by Terry Whittaker's remarkable photographs.