Drivers have been urged to take care after a pine marten was killed on a road on the Rosneath Peninsula.
A protected species, pine martens are still classed as rare, but have been making a recovery after a dramatic decline in their numbers – there are currently thought to be 3,700 in Scotland, and at this time of their young are starting to emerge from their dens.
Their presence also thought to help red squirrels re-establish themselves in an area – recent surveys have shown reds being sighted in areas including Cove and Ardpeaton.
A dead pine marten was seen on the Peaton Hill last week, on the road near to the community nature reserve, and they have also been spotted on Ministry of Defence land near to Coulport.
Mary-Anne Collis, Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels conservation officer for Argyll, the Trossachs and Stirlingshire, appealed for drivers to look out for wildlife and report any sightings.
“The pine marten is a very special native species that is still recovering after years of persecution, so it’s exciting to learn that they are being spotted on the Rosneath Peninsula,” she added
“Their presence is also good news for another iconic Scottish animal— the red squirrel.
“Red squirrels are threatened by competition and disease from non-native grey squirrels, but research has shown that when pine martens move into an area, grey squirrel numbers go down and red squirrel numbers go up.
“The exact reason why is not yet fully understood, but red squirrels have successfully co-existed with this top predator for thousands of years.
“Wildlife sightings help conservation projects like Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels gain a better understanding of the situation on the ground.
“We ask that drivers be mindful of wildlife on the road, and if you see a pine marten or squirrel (including roadkill) you can help boost our knowledge of the area.”
“Please report sightings of both red and grey squirrels to us at scottishsquirrels.org.uk and report pine marten sightings to the Mammal Society via their Mammal Mapper app.”
Pine martens are described by NatureScot as cat-sized members of the weasel family, with dark brown fur covering a body which is 65 to 70cm long except for a large, creamy-white patch at the throat.
Pine martens prefer native woodlands but can also live in conifer plantations and on rocky hillsides
They make breeding nests among rocks, in hollow trees, or in bird or squirrel nests, and also have a few ‘dens’ (temporary resting places) in their territory.
The species was given full legal protection in 1988.
Pine martens aren’t confined to woodland, but each animal requires from 86 to 166 hectares of woodland within its territory
Young martens are born blind and hairless in early spring and stay with their mothers for about six weeks.
Their eyes open at the end of May and by mid-June they begin to emerge from their den.
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