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.