A cheeky pine marten has been spotted running around the Fittie area of Aberdeen by eagle eyed residents.
The mammal was caught on video wandering the streets of the historic fishing village next to the harbour this morning.
It was spotted on camera by Pocra Quay resident Dave Blackburn, who said: “I have not seen a pine marten in the city before.”
Pictures by Fiona Rait also show the animal – which is a cat-sized member of the weasel family – exploring the shores of the North Sea.
Despite their cuteness, warnings have been issued that pine martens can be dangerous due to their teeth and claws, with the public being told not to approach them.
Given full legal protection in 1988, pine martens were subject to persecution throughout much of the 19th and 20th centuries having at one point being found across Britain.
Pine martens are increasing in number in Scotland, however, they remain absent from much of the southern part of the country, as well as in most of England and Wales.
Scotland’s total population of the species – which measure between 65-70cm – is estimated as being about 3,700, but within the range of between 1,600 and 8,900 respectively.
‘Not commonly seen in urban areas’
NatureScot mammal advisor, Robert Raynor told The P&J it is unusual to find pine martens in urban areas like Fittie or Aberdeen.
“The recovery in north-east Scotland has occurred mainly since the late 1990s when natural recolonization of Deeside took place, leading to the presence of martens close to Aberdeen itself.
“Pine martens are not commonly seen in urban areas, but are known to occur in urban Inverness and have also been reported from the northern fringes of Glasgow.
“It’s possible that this marten’s presence in the city is due to disorientation, after having followed one of Aberdeen’s rivers downstream in search of suitable habitat or breeding opportunities.”
Conversation