Spotted a Pine Martin in London the other day
Discussion
No picture and it was much bigger than a ferret. Was delivering to a warehouse in North London and standing by a metal boundary fence. On the other side of the fence was a large expanse of waste ground thick with trees and bushes. I could hear some movement in the trees and for a few seconds saw something the size of cat with a bushey tail and a small head jump high up from one branch to another. Then it disappeared. Just looked on the net and the only mammal that comes near is a Pine Martin?
It wasn't a cat either as this mammal looked very comfortable in it's movements so high up.
It wasn't a cat either as this mammal looked very comfortable in it's movements so high up.
Jasandjules said:
Good news if you did see one. See a few out here in the sticks (nearly run over one and her babies a few months ago when she decided to cross the road)..
That's what I thought and the reason why I won't post the exact whereabouts. Just looked on the map and seen a lot of water and other waste green land nearby so it's possible the area can sustain such animals without them drawing too much attention.
Just seen this one on youtube and it's exactly like the one I saw.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RI9sFSyCcA&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RI9sFSyCcA&fea...
Still confident it's a Pine Marten after reading a few facts on them. The one I saw was right near the top of the trees.
"They favour well wooded areas where they can nest in hollow trees and old animal homes. Pine martens eat small mammals and seasonally available produce such as autumn fruits and berries. They are also treetop hunters that can race skillfully along branches, leaping from tree to tree in pursuit of squirrels."
"They favour well wooded areas where they can nest in hollow trees and old animal homes. Pine martens eat small mammals and seasonally available produce such as autumn fruits and berries. They are also treetop hunters that can race skillfully along branches, leaping from tree to tree in pursuit of squirrels."
Cool!
I do kinda doubt it though, they generally need the same kind of habitat as red squirrels and are similarly restricted geographically to mainly the peak district, Northumberland, Scotland etc.
Other things worth considering:
Stoat
Polecat - probably the best 'stunt double' for a pine marten I can think of http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/European_Polecat
Mink
Domestic moggy with a funny haircut
Fox (can be dark brown, incredibly agile and cubs look remarkably non-canine sometimes)
I do kinda doubt it though, they generally need the same kind of habitat as red squirrels and are similarly restricted geographically to mainly the peak district, Northumberland, Scotland etc.
Other things worth considering:
Stoat
Polecat - probably the best 'stunt double' for a pine marten I can think of http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/European_Polecat
Mink
Domestic moggy with a funny haircut
Fox (can be dark brown, incredibly agile and cubs look remarkably non-canine sometimes)
Edited by BlackVanDyke on Sunday 29th May 16:47
Boshly said:
5paul5 said:
Yes most probably a mink, no pine martins in London !
Thats a pretty strong statement as you're effectively calling 'b
ks' so can you back it up?I'm curious either way.
http://www.pinemarten.info/images/larger/ecologyma...
http://www.mammal.org.uk/index.php?option=com_cont...
PoleDriver said:
Any maps proving that there are definitely no wallabies living wild in the UK?
It is possible that the Pine Marten has escaped from somewhere, as so many other animals have!
It is possible that the Pine Marten has escaped from somewhere, as so many other animals have!
I've just had a rootle about in The Mammal Society's site and they do actually have wallabies listed as a resident British mammal so I'm not quite sure what your point is there...
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