Pine Marten- The Secret Life of Martes martes
Dan Bagur
The following reviews were contributed by Kat Saleiko and Marcus Ward, authors of Pine Martens in the New Forest, past, present and future which appeared in our June issue.
Pine Marten by Dan Bagur is a beautifully written exploration of one of Britain’s most elusive and charismatic mammals. The book blends science with personal reflection, drawing on Dan’s many hours of field experience with the species. Bagur truly brings Pine Martens to life—the book is hugely engaging and easy to read. In fact, I found it hard to put down!
Alongside personal observations and stories, Dan shares fascinating new findings, from insights into the infamous “bum wiggle” and how Pine Martens create their distinctive scats, to groundbreaking research into ground-denning martens—coining the term “Marten Maze” for this newly observed behaviour.
Dan skilfully balances accessible ecology with deeper insights into the challenges and triumphs of modern conservation. Whether describing close encounters in the field or explaining complex issues like habitat fragmentation and genetic diversity, his passion for the species and its future shines through. What makes this book especially compelling is Bagur’s ability to weave broader themes of nature restoration into his personal journey. His writing is both informative and evocative, drawing the reader into the quiet forests where pine martens live, hunt, and raise their young.
I particularly enjoyed the innovative use of QR codes that allow readers to listen to various pine marten vocalisations while reading—an immersive and educational addition. The book is also full of stunning imagery, all taken by Dan himself, which beautifully illustrates pine marten behaviour and movement.
I especially appreciated the seasonal gallery of scats, which demonstrates the variety of shapes and textures depending on diet—a wonderfully nerdy but useful reference! The images of field signs, from tooth-marked eggshells to paw prints in winter frost, are equally excellent and practical for those in the field.
As someone involved in pine marten fieldwork myself, I found this book not only accurate and informative but also deeply affirming. Bagur captures the excitement, frustration, and hope that so often define wildlife conservation.
Pine Marten is a must-read for anyone interested in British mammals, rewilding, or the delicate balance of species recovery. 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.
Reviewed by Marcus Ward
View this book on the NHBS website
I should probably start by saying that I’m fairly new to the world of pine martens, having worked on the New Forest Pine Marten Project for just over two years. I’d say I have a good foundational understanding of the species, but this book truly encompasses everything you might need—or want—to know about pine martens, and even includes things you didn’t realise you needed to know.
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.
The abundance of photos brings the book to life, perfectly complementing the text and making the content so much more accessible and engaging. It feels inclusive—like it’s written for both seasoned ecologists and curious newcomers. Paired with insightful facts, it left me wanting to know even more.
In fact, my field guide is now decorated with pink sticky tabs marking all the sections I want to revisit—a clear sign of a great book, if you ask me. Maybe this reveals my still-growing knowledge, but I was fascinated to learn that pine martens eat earthworms and have abdominal scent glands! You really do learn something new every day. And of course, it was great to find out that their curly scats are not actually caused by a “bum wiggle”, they do that when they urinate! Plus, the discovery of the “marten maze” is something I’ll definitely be watching out for next time I’m deploying trail cameras in the New Forest.
Although Dan is based in Ireland and most of his observations come from there, it was great to see comparisons from other regions included. Seeing an image from the New Forest, in particular, was exciting—it helps put our local population on the map. One of the most important chapters for me was Ecological Benefits of Pine Martens. Working in conservation translocations, I often have to advocate for reintroducing lost species, and this chapter is an excellent resource to reference. It’s something I’ll definitely be pointing stakeholders toward, especially when they’re hesitant or unsure about pine marten reintroductions.
And finally, I want to highlight one of the closing lines from the book, which I think is just brilliant: “Our actions will determine how this future plays out.”
If you want to learn about one of Britain’s rarest mammals on a deeply personal and insightful level, then look no further than PINE MARTEN: The Secret Life of Martes martes by Dan Bagur.
Reviewed by Kat Saleiko