THE DIET OF THE PINE MARTEN (MARTES MARTES) IN KILLARNEY NATIONAL PARK

Abstract

This study examined the diet of a re-established population of pine marten Martes martes in the broadleaf woodlands of Killarney National Park between 2003 and 2005. In contrast to previous dietary studies of pine marten, fruit formed the greater part of the diet, not small mammals. Except in summer, fruit was the most frequently consumed item and it also contributed the most in terms of percentage mass and percentage fresh weight ingested in the diet. The Mammal Group was the next most important food group overall, particularly in summer. No significant difference was observed in the frequency of occurrence of the wood mouse and the recently introduced bank vole in the diet. Birds were only consumed in spring and summer. Frogs were important throughout spring, summer and autumn, while earthworms were only important in winter. The overall dietary niche breadth was wide, and the narrowest seasonal niche breadth was recorded in autumn. The maintenance of woodlands with good fruiting species diversity, which in themselves provide the habitat for the other prey items that the pine marten consumes, is desirable for marten conservation.