Nature

e Two Moors Pine Marten

Project

The Two Moors Pine Marten Project is exploring the possibility of bringing the animals back to Exmoor and Dartmoor. Across Britain, the pine marten was once the second most common carnivore, but today they are Britain’s second least common.

Populations of pine martens survive in Scotland and parts of Northern England, and in recent years there have been successful reintroductions in Mid Wales and the Forest of Dean, but a lack of good habitat connectivity makes these populations unlikely to reach the South West. After an absence of 150 years, the prospect of pine martens returning to Dartmoor and Exmoor, and from there across the South West, would be a vital next step in the return of a lost native.

What is a pine marten?

Pine martens are members of the weasel family of animals. They are around the size of a small cat and are wonderful tree climbers. They are mainly nocturnal and most of the time they live alone in sparse populations – so you’re unlikely to see one unless you are very lucky! Much of the pine marten’s diet is made up of voles, but they will also eat other small animals including mice, squirrels, birds and insects. In autumn they also consume a lot of wild fruits.

What stage is the project at?

A new national strategy for the reintroduction of pine martens highlighted the South West as a priority for potential reintroduction. The proposed reintroduction would involve a minimum of 30 to 40 pine martens being translocated from sustainable populations in Scotland over a period of two years. The fi rst pine martens would be released in autumn 2024 and then closely monitored, so that their location and movements would be known. The project is currently working with experts and local communities to determine the potential impacts of pine martens on other native species, agriculture, shooting estates and woodland management, to establish where and whether a reintroduction could take place.

Why reintroduce pine martens?

They are ‘critically endangered’ in England and Wales, and unlikely to spread from existing populations in Gloucestershire and Mid Wales for many decades. Their absence has left our local wildlife without a vital, functioning part. As predators of small animals, pine martens play an important role in balancing nature, especially in our woodlands. Their loss has had subtle and far-reaching knock-on eff ects on the wildlife of our woodlands and is thought to have contributed to a decline in the numbers of some of our woodland songbirds.

Are pine martens a threat to other species?

Pine martens evolved alongside our other native woodland species. They are solitary animals, live at

relatively low population densities, have large home ranges and eat what is locally and seasonally abundant. This means they have a lower impact on birds than do common predators such as foxes, domestic cats and crows. They are unlikely to aff ect populations of rare or vulnerable species in a wild environment. Where conservation and reintroduction activities are taking place suitable precautions can be taken to reduce the risk of pine marten predation, for example adapting dormice boxes to prevent pine martens accessing them.

Who is involved in the Project?

The Two Moors Pine Marten Project is a partnership of conservation organisations which includes Dartmoor National Park Authority, Devon Wildlife Trust, Exmoor National Park Authority, National Trust and Woodland Trust. The project has also received expert advice and support from Vincent Wildlife Trust, Forestry England and NatureScot, with additional support from Turnstyle Designs. To fi nd out more go to devonwildlifetrust.org/bringingpine-martens-back n

Stephen Hussey Devon Wildlife Trust, www.devonwildlifetrust.org