Nopesport

by **Freefall** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 6:18 pm

BBC Autumnwatch will be broadcast from Aigas Field Centre - only 10-15 km from three of the WOC2015 embargoed areas. On a recent visit I followed a pine marten down the road (they like eating capercaillie eggs I hear) and I am sure they will feature in the programme at some stage. Unless Autumnwatch is available for our overseas rivals this is a great opportunity for Team GB to scope out the terrain without breaking any embargoes.

by **King Penguin** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 11:35 pm

I thought capercaille were protected. If orienteers are banned because of them should the pine marten also be banned ?

by **Freefall** » Wed Oct 31, 2012 9:12 am

Pine martens under certain circumstances be killed or captured (see the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended)). As far as I am aware this doesn't apply to orienteers. I have seen a pine marten three times this year (and never before), all on WOC/Highland 2015 visits and in three very different locations. Hopefully tonight's programme may take in a bit more forest and control sites.

by **Red Adder** » Wed Oct 31, 2012 10:31 am

Given that Grey Squirrels can remember 90% of 3000 nut caches down to 5 cm accuracy based on identifying positions relative to distinctive trees etc and can climb trees to avoid the worst of the bracken I reckon they could make damn fine orienteers.