Pine martens are 'doing well' after South West releases

Pine martens in the South West of England have begun to produce young and are 'doing well' since their recent reintroduction, say experts. 

In autumn 2024, 15 pine martens were released at secret woodland locations on Dartmoor; while in autumn 2025 a further 19 animals were released at undisclosed spots on Exmoor. The reintroductions were the work of the Two Moors Pine Marten Project which is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project is led by the charity Devon Wildlife Trust and is a partnership between seven organisations: Dartmoor National Park Authority, Devon Wildlife Trust, Exmoor National Park Authority, Forestry England, National Trust, Somerset Wildlife Trust and Woodland Trust.

 

Pine martens had been missing from the region for more than 100 years after having been hunted and trapped to extinction. The animals are the size of a small cat and like to climb trees in search of food which includes wild fruits, mice, grey squirrels, and other small prey.

 

Tracking collars given to each animal before release have allowed the project to monitor their progress. Tracey Hamston is the Two Moors Pine Marten Project Lead. Tracey said:

 

"The collars have meant we can track the animals' movements. The results show that some pine martens stayed close to where they were released, but others travelled some distance, in a few cases more than 20 miles.

 

The Dartmoor pine martens seem now to have settled forming their own individual territories. Some of the Exmoor animals still seem to be mobile but we'd expect most to settle and establish a territory soon.

 

It's been amazing to see where the pine martens have travelled since their release. We can see that they've been thoroughly exploring the landscape before settling into their new woodland homes."    

 

The pine martens' collars are designed to cease to function and drop off after six months. In their place the project is now seeking to track the animals' progress using remote cameras positioned in local woodlands.

 

Last July, one of these cameras recorded images of a female pine marten and her three kits (youngsters) as they moved through a Dartmoor woodland. This was the first proof that the animals had bred successfully.

 

Tracey Hamston said:

"This was the news we were waiting for – proof that the pine martens have established themselves and are doing well. 

 

This year's kits should be being born on both Dartmoor and Exmoor around now. We hope to see evidence of this on our cameras when the kits become more active in May and June."

 

Abby Parravani is Forest Planner at Forestry England. Abby said:

"Forestry England is proud to be a partner in the Two Moors Pine Marten project. The encouraging results from collar tracking and camera trap monitoring are hugely rewarding for all involved in the project. As omnivores and predators, pine martens fulfil an important role in woodland ecosystems, helping to increase the resilience of forests, so we are thrilled that this native species is once again establishing in woodlands in the South West."

The Two Moors Pine Marten Project is now appealing to the public to help it keep tabs on the pine martens' whereabouts. It is asking anyone who sees a pine marten in the region to let them know where and when they spot them. The project would especially welcome photos or video of sightings. All records of pine marten encounters can be sent to a dedicated email address: pinemartens@devonwildlifetrust.org   

 

The precise locations of the animals are being kept secret by the project to minimise disturbance.  

 

The project is also keen to hear from woodland owners with wildlife cameras, especially those on or close to Dartmoor and Exmoor, who would be happy to take part in its Woodland Survey.

 

Ali North is the project's Exmoor Field Officer. Ali said:

"Pine martens are a highly mobile species and so they have kept us very busy trying to keep track of them.

 

We're excited to moving into the next phase of our monitoring using camera traps to catch a glimpse into their elusive woodland antics. We hope many landowners will want to get involved in our newly launched woodland citizen science survey to help us track their distribution over time."

Two Moors Pine Marten Project. Photo ©Mark Hamblin 2020Vision (All Rights Reserved)

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Landowners with woodland and who have cameras are being encouraged to contact the project via pinemartens@devonwildlifetrust.org

People can find out much more about pine martens and the Two Moors Pine Marten Project at www.twomoorspinemartens.org

Love April Nature Notes

Well it's still a tad cold but the leaves are daring to come into view. They are celebrating Hanami in Japan. It's Cherry Blossom time in my garden, one of the two trees I planted in pots two years ago has been flowering for a couple of weeks.

Meanwhile there is a lot of action with the birds flitting backwards and forwards, nest building and building a relationship. Our resident 'love birds' love the old Pine to roost, snuggle and pass the time of day (its also where the bird feeders hang) but they are now building their nest in the Hawthorne.

I always have a camera close by as I photograph the birds through the window for my garden diary, I use a long lens this means I'm not disturbing them, they are spooked at the slightest movement. On reflection they may be aware there is a Sparrowhawk around.

Sky News has just flashed up on my iPhone that another storm is on the way so nature is going to take another battering at the most crucial time of year. Looks like the Yellow Weather Warnings are for up North so here's hoping we have a sunny rain-free Easter.

Blue skies and sunshine today though, the Bees are buzzing, seen a Sparrow collecting bits for the nest and the Doves have just had a moment.

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North Devon Focus. Watching the changing seasons throughout the year, looking out and photographing events, nature, wildlife and places while walking on the North Devon coast and in the countryside. 
All photos/articles copyright Pat Adams (All Rights Reserved)

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Devon Nursing Home Brings Smiles Through Learning

A recent session at Hatherleigh Nursing Home, based in Okehampton, Devon, brought team members together with a local professional, as Nicole from Torrington Dental Surgery led an informal talk focused on the importance of oral care.

Eight team members from across the home were invited to take part, including Care Assistants, Care Practitioners, House Leads and Registered Nurses. The mix of roles meant the skills and knowledge could be shared back across the households within the home. Nicole, who has previously worked in social care shaped the session around everyday practice. Dentures and toothbrushes were shared around as she talked through practical approaches, alongside the importance of preventative care and recognising early signs of discomfort.

The discussion focused on the small things that affect someone’s comfort every day and taking time to really understand them, such as changes in eating, sensitivity or how someone responds during support. By exploring these moments together, the session offered time to revisit everyday approaches and build confidence in recognising and responding to changes early.

It also reflected the value of multi-disciplinary working within the home, bringing together the knowledge of a dental professional with the day-to-day understanding of team members to further strengthen how oral health supports overall wellbeing.

A spokesperson for Hatherleigh Nursing Home said: “We are incredibly thankful to Nicole for sharing her expertise and supporting our ongoing learning and development. Partnerships like these are so valuable in helping us continue to strengthen the care and support we provide every day.”

Nicole from Torrington Dental Surgery all smiles at Hatherleigh Nursing Home

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If you would like to learn more about Hatherleigh Nursing Home, please visit https://www.hatherleighnursinghome.com/lifes-journey-continued-2/