Credit: natur&emwelt

Luxembourg has what is known as a Temperate Climate in which winters are generally mild and summers comparatively cool, with rainfall that can be high; its flora and fauna have thrived in and adapted to this climate over the centuries and millennia, with ongoing challenges due to pollution and recent climate change, as well as the introduction of non-native species, resulting in disruptions to the norm.

Nevertheless, with various initiatives and organisations helping the ecosystem and habitat, including sustainability and re-wilding, there is a lot happening in nature across the Grand Duchy.

Chronicle.lu has teamed up with natur&emwelt (the non-profit organisation (naturemwelt), the foundation (Hëllef fir d'Natur) and the Wildlife Care Centre (Flegeestatioun)) for a series of articles on Luxembourg's fauna in which we look at various mammals, birds, insects, amphibians and aquatic animals, as well as touching on vanishing species returning to Luxembourg, focussing on their lifestyle and habitat, including when and where to observe them.

No. 20 in this series focuses on the Pine Marten.

The Schujansbësch, a vast forested area north of Lieler, near Clervaux, in northern Luxembourg, provides an ideal refuge for the pine marten. This elusive mammal embodies the richness and restored naturalness of the woodland.

The pine marten (Martes martes) is a slender mustelid, measuring 50–70 cm, with a bushy tail up to 25 cm long. Its dark brown coat contrasts with a creamy to orange throat patch, its most distinctive feature compared to the stone marten. Large, rounded ears with pale edges and sharp, expressive eyes give it a lively appearance. Agile and flexible, it is perfectly adapted to climbing trees, using its sharp claws and furry paws to move gracefully among the branches.

Lifestyle

The pine marten is a solitary, mostly nocturnal and crepuscular animal. It roams wide territories, marking them with strong-smelling secretions. An opportunistic carnivore, it feeds mainly on small mammals, birds, eggs and insects, but also enjoys berries and fruit in autumn. This varied diet makes it an important natural regulator of ecosystems. Reproduction occurs in summer, but delayed implantation ensures that the young are born in spring, when food is more abundant. The female raises the litter alone, usually two to five kits, carefully guiding them until they are independent.

Habitat

The pine marten favours old, diverse woodlands, rich in cavities and forest edges. Unlike the stone marten, which often lives near human settlements, the pine marten avoids people and stays deep in the forest. It shelters in hollow trees, abandoned burrows, or old bird nests. Its presence is a strong indicator of ecological quality: the species requires continuous, unspoiled woodland to hunt, hide and raise its young. The Schujansbësch, with its natural succession and restored diversity, provides a perfect habitat for this elusive predator.

Where and When to See It

In the Schujansbësch reserve, the pine marten thrives in the mixed woodlands, natural clearings and open valley meadows that offer hunting grounds. Sightings are rare, as this species avoids humans and is active mainly at night. However, its presence can be detected through tracks with five slender toes or elongated droppings left along forest paths. The best chance to spot one is at dawn or dusk, near forest edges, in open glades or along the Reibaach stream.

Observation Tips

Spotting a pine marten requires patience and silence. Visit during quiet evenings or early mornings, move slowly and remain still near forest edges. A sudden movement in the branches or a dark, slender silhouette crossing a path may be your fleeting glimpse of this secretive animal.