Wildlife, birds, pine marten, Assynt, Sutherland, Highlands, Scotland. Two short videos this time. The first is from 24 May 2023 and shows an adult Blue Tit sitting on eggs in a nest box sitting. The bird is clearly aware of a threat outside the box and is reacting to it.
The second clip (same nest box) is from 30 May 2023 and the young Blue Tits are now well grown. A predator's paw can be seen reaching in the entrance hole attempting to catch one of the young birds.
We can't be sure but are fairly certain the culprit is a Pine Marten. Also, we aren't sure if it even catches a bird. It may have fatally injured one bird that doesn't appear to move after some of the commotion.
The good news is the remaining youngsters fledged almost immediately after the activity stopped.
Many thanks to George Morrison from Achmelvich for letting us share his screen recordings of this possibly upsetting, but perfectly natural event.
