Offering new insights into how they grow, learn and live, this book delves deep into the secretive behaviour of one of our rarest and most elusive mammals. It covers Pine Marten social interactions, courtship, mating, nesting and kit rearing, feeding and diet, as well as relationships with other wildlife. It also examines the considerable advantages of having these animals around and why it is in our interest to help them.
Pine Martens are slowly starting to increase their numbers and expand their range in Britain and Ireland as conservation efforts help them recover. There are now more sightings, while interest in what these animals do and why is greater than ever. This book uniquely uses photography to show (not tell) the reader all aspects of Pine Marten behaviour - uncovering these mammals' private life and shining light into the darkness of the night. The candid images allow the reader to experience this magnificent animal close up as never before. Aimed at amateur naturalists and experts alike, this groundbreaking book provides fascinating observations and a wealth of information.
Industry Reviews
This book is a revelation, explaining everything you ever wanted to know about pine martens... The narrative is written from the author's perspective as an observer, whilst being crammed full of facts, references, and over 200 remarkable accompanying photographs, focusing on pine marten behaviour. The amount of detail is incredible, yet it's a great bedtime read. -- Rowena Millar * Mammal News * The photography is a big seller here, but Dan has added to science with his study of them - you are going to gain a lot of knowledge by reading this book. -- John Miles * Bird Watching Magazine * ...hugely engaging and easy to read. In fact, I found it hard to put down! ...Whether you're a seasoned naturalist or simply curious about one of the UK's lesser-known predators, this book offers a rewarding, insightful, and inspiring read. -- Marcus Ward * British Wildlife * What makes this book stand out is how personal it feels. You can tell how much time Dan Bagur has spent in the field, simply watching and observing these fascinating creatures. There's so much to learn from that kind of first-hand experience, and it really shines through. -- Kat Saleiko * British Wildlife * Pine martens are a species that seem to captivate many of us despite most having never seen one in the wild... Dan's knowledge of their lives is extensive... with many useful photographs as well as QR codes linking to a series of audio recordings, this book is sure to leave readers with an even greater desire to see one of these incredible animals first hand. * Scottish Wildlife Magazine * An enchanting and approachable introduction to one of the British Isles' most charismatic and elusive mammals... Pine Marten is a source of inspiration for anyone seeking to reconnect with the natural world, and has a place on any naturalist's shelf-professional and amateur alike. * Genuine Mustelids * Now, he has brought together his knowledge in a new book, Pine Marten, which offers a detailed look into the life and behaviour of this rarely seen mammal. -- Lucy Johnson * Dartmoor Magazine * "They draw you into their world." Much the same can be said very enthusiastically about Bagur's book, which draws the reader deep into the world of the pine marten... This feeling, that you're reading a book about pine martens not only by one of their foremost experts but by one of their biggest fans, lends a dorky enchantment to the nest-raiding bird-decapitating little darlings. -- Steve Donoghue * Open Letters Review * ...fascinating and immensely well-researched... One of the great values of a book such as Dan's is the intimate insight it provides into a creature that, although increasing in terms of its population, is actually quite hard to see. -- Patrick Galbraith * Country Life * It was tempting to fill this review with eloquent, insightful, and enlightening quotes from one of the most engaging science books this reviewer has read in a long time... inspirational. -- Michael Scott * Conservation Biology * In the book, the reader gets a good picture of the life of the pine marten... It is filled with exciting and often unexpected facts... -- Niklas Aronsson * Var Fagelvaerld Magazine * I didn't expect to learn quite so much from one book which is beautifully illustrated with numerous coloured photographs... The book is truly fascinating and extensively researched... I am delighted to add this volume to my natural history collection and highly recommend it to all naturalists and to anyone interested in learning more about this fascinating animal. -- Endymion Beer * BNA Bulletin * ...the book's great strength is good old fashioned field observations and backed by good photography... an excellent book. -- D. Paddy Sleeman * The Irish Naturalists' Journal *
