Our monthly sightings update from our Evening Mammal Hide near Aviemore in the Cairngorms.
Badgers
The Badgers have been growing bushier, as they moult into their winter coats to protect them from the harsh cold. One night at least seven of the eight individuals known in the family came to feed. When the Pine Martens dislodged a wooden stump that was usually dabbed with peanut butter it caused them all to run away, though they came back after a while. At one point, a Pine Marten came within feet of a Badger and the two stared at each for a moment and the Pine Marten went into the trees for safety. When it ran around the edge of the platform and ducked over the edge, some guests got the impression that the Pine Martens were taunting this particular Badger. The Badger would look over the edge for it, but there was no way it would be able to catch them when they kept disappearing over the edge.
Pine Martens
They have been regular this past month, with only a handful of nights being no-shows and some interesting things have been happening with them of late. One night, the male Pine Marten kit came into feed, amazing all the guests that were there to witness it and after it went away, a female Pine Marten came in. Then when it went away, the resident male came in to feed and then the strangest, most unprecedented thing happened. I had never seen two males together, the male kit was getting along nicely with what I believed to be his father, and the kit kept climbing on top of him, almost as if it were trying to mate. Then it brought its back legs over the top of its father’s face and that was when we realised that it was scent marking behaviour. Then the female came in, which I think was its mother and the three fed together all at once. It was something I’d only seen on the camera trap but that night was the first night I’d ever seen three together with guests there to witness it too. An amazing evening for all!
Other Wildlife
The Scottish Wildcat is still present but it’s mostly being seen before guests come along. Wood Mice however were seen on some nights, which was nice because with it becoming colder, they have taken to staying inside their shelters. One night a Wood Mouse came out while Badgers and a Pine Marten were present. I used my torch to point out the Wood Mouse to the guests and at one point the Pine Marten looked right at it but didn’t do anything. It seemed engrossed enough with the food in front of it.
Tawny Owls have been heard hooting on some nights, but wouldn’t show themselves and I think I’ve figured out the reason why as they so rarely show on the hide evenings. I think it’s because they don’t like the light, because having such large eyes to navigate the darkness means they’re sensitive to too much light. When I’ve reviewed the camera trap footage, it has sometimes showed Tawny Owls coming onto the platform and sitting quite comfortably, but only when the lights are off.
Astronomy has been excellent this past month, though plenty of nights have been overcast. When they are excellent however, some of the less distinct constellations can be seen. One of the most indistinct, despite being the fifth largest is Hercules. On one of those clear nights, I was finally able to deduce why I found it so difficult to see. This was because I always looked for it above the head of Draco, the Dragon, where the foot is supposed to sit on. It is in fact however, lower than Draco and forms a kind of square with four arms coming across it, the top most being his feet. It was so liberating to finally have my eye in for it at last.
If you would like to see our nocturnal visitors you can book your place at: http://bit.ly/sw_EWW
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