August 2025

August saw me joining friends in a part of Scotland I had never visited before, down near Tarbert on the shore of Loch Fyne. It was a very long drive, with roads like spaghetti for most of the way, but the cottage they had booked was right beside the shore, and very tranquil.

As usual, they had been busy putting both bird and red squirrel feeders out, plus food at night in the hope of visitors like pine martens and badgers.

The pine marten had shown, but only caught on a camera trap, until one lazy morning when I had gone to make a coffee, and spotted it out in the garden in the daylight! 

After enjoying that encounter, we were even more surprised when the following day, despite the windows of the kitchen being open, the washing machine whirring away, and breakfast cooking on the hob, the pine marten appeared on the rock outside, just a few feet away!

It really didn't seem bothered by us at all, and stayed for a while, eating the food put out for the squirrels and birds. 

If only I could get the individuals that visit my garden or the woodland hide to appear like this!