In the winter, it is customary for Bob and me to look for Pine Martens in the woods of Algonquin Park, in Ontario, Canada.
This past November, we took a drive into that Park on a very wintry day.
Upon arrival in the morning at a familiar location, we got a glimpse of a Pine Marten. After waiting patiently, it was near lunchtime when the Marten reappeared near a garbage bin provided for the winter campground.
As we know full well, Pine Martens are omnivores and will eat anything including small mammals, birds, fruits, and insects.
It is not beneath them to seek food discarded by humans, too.
When Jean first spotted the Pine Marten, it had climbed into a nearby tree and used its branches from which to survey the surroundings.
The Pine Marten became quite distracted and began scrambling from one tree to another.
Unbeknownst to us, a second Pine Marten had crept out of the forest entering into the first one’s territory.
This was our first time witnessing a territorial chase where one Pine Marten challenged another.
A lot of hissing and sharp yowls ensued as the first Pine Marten gave chase to the intruder.
Our cameras were trained on the action as we waited to see which Marten would control the garbage bin and the surrounding trees.
In this short video, you get an idea of the tense action that ensued. Video courtesy of Leah Steinberg who was witness to the action with us.
The Pine Marten that had staked its claim in the first place won the spoils of the garbage bin war in Algonquin Park.
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