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Chris Kurzfeld
Joined: 29 Oct 2007
Posts: 1638
Location: Carmarthenshire
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 Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 9:31 am Post subject: pine marten |
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Last Monday i was up early feeding the sheep, it was half light atround 6.45am, and as I went to fill the hay rack something walked out of the shelter at the bottom of the paddock. My first thought was that it was outr cat, a dark tortie, but it was slightly bigger. Then i thought it was a fox, but having seen foxes around already, it didn't look like a fox - it was way too dark. It wasn't a polecat or mink - too big - (we get both here in Wales) and I have seen them lots of time before. It walked across the paddock and came quite close, then it must have sensed I was there, I was trying very hard not to move, and stared at me. I still wasn't sure what i had seen so camre in and got out my mammels of G B book. I looked up fox to see how dark they could be and as i was turning the pages one page jumped out at me, it was of an animals face poking out of a tree hole and there was the face I had seen staring at me that morning - a Pine Marten! I know they take eggs and having chickens was slightly worried but hey, what the heck, I feel really blessed that something so rare has chosen our place to stop off and for me to get such a good look at him/her.
Chris |
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CP
Moderator
Joined: 13 Apr 2005
Posts: 16086
Location: Hampshire
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| Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 9:49 am Post subject: |
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How lovely to see a pine marten! 
I know a lot of people would disagree, but even a fox is a beautiful creature.
I love all wildlife, but just wish they'd leave our chickens (& other animals) alone!  |
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Chris Kurzfeld
Joined: 29 Oct 2007
Posts: 1638
Location: Carmarthenshire
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| Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 12:33 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | but even a fox is a beautiful creature. |
I agree with you Chicken Palace, they are beautiful creatures. Like you I love all wildlife -except spiders, but I could never kill one.
Chris |
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bantam cock
Joined: 15 Mar 2007
Posts: 31
Location: Leicestershire
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| Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 7:52 pm Post subject: |
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| If you have a pine martin on your land you'd better make sure your birds are secure, as they are the same as a polecat ( Named after the french Poulet Chicken cat) but alot more agile. |
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Chris Kurzfeld
Joined: 29 Oct 2007
Posts: 1638
Location: Carmarthenshire
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| Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 10:08 am Post subject: |
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When i read up about Pine Martens the info said that they are more likely to take the eggs rather than the chickens themselves - were they wrong and should I be worried?
Chris |
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tuzo2k
Joined: 09 Jun 2007
Posts: 206
Location: charente sw france
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| Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 11:03 pm Post subject: |
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| yes in answer to both your questions. |
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potteryhouse
Joined: 03 Nov 2008
Posts: 11
Location: Loch Ness, Highlands of Scotland
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| Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 6:52 pm Post subject: |
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Bit of a late post as I've just joined this forum but........
A pine marten got in with our chickens last year and killed the lot, so no they don't just take eggs. |
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