New kits spell success for pine marten reintroduction on Exmoor

A pioneering conservation project has released new evidence of its success in bringing the rare and endangered pine marten back to the South West of England.

Exclusive video footage gathered by the Two Moors Pine Marten Project shows a female marten with four of its offspring, known as kits, as they explore an Exmoor woodland. The film clip is the first proof that pine martens released by the project are breeding on Exmoor.

In 2024, the Two Moors Pine Marten Project reintroduced 15 pine martens to locations on Dartmoor. A further release of 19 pine martens followed on Exmoor in 2025. The reintroductions represented the first attempt to re-establish a sustainable breeding population of the tree-climbing members of the weasel family to the South West since they were hunted to extinction more than 100 years ago. The project followed similar successful initiatives in Wales (2015) and the Forest of Dean (2019) and is part of a national strategy to restore pine martens across England and Wales.

The Two Moors Pine Marten Project is led by Devon Wildlife Trust and involves a partnership of seven organisations including Dartmoor National Park Authority, Devon Wildlife Trust, Exmoor National Park Authority, Forestry England, National Trust, Somerset Wildlife Trust and Woodland Trust. It has been supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. 

Since their release, the pine martens have proved to be highly mobile, shy of people and difficult to see. However, the project now has proof that pine martens are successfully breeding in both Exmoor and Dartmoor. Confirmation of this success has come from footage captured by some of the dozens of trail cameras installed by the project.

One clip from an Exmoor camera captures the moment when a female pine marten and her four kits visit a trail camera which has been specially baited with peanut butter and fish oil – a combination of smells and tastes which pine martens love!

Ali North is the Two Moors Pine Marten Project Field Officer for Exmoor. Ali said: 

"These clips were recorded on cameras being monitored by one of our brilliant project volunteers. We were incredibly excited to finally see kits after so many months of intensive monitoring. Mothers give birth in March or April and have on average 2-3 kits, so to see 4 with their mum was an amazing sight and suggests that Exmoor is the perfect home for these animals.

The news of breeding pine martens marks a wonderful moment for our project staff, our project partners and the dozens of volunteers who have worked with us to bring this native animal back. This has been a community effort with local people helping us in a series of key tasks ranging from building pine marten den boxes to installing and regularly checking remote cameras. There are a whole host of ways woodland owners can continue to help pine martens recover and we'd encourage anyone interested to get in touch."

Ali Hawkins, Senior Ecologist at Exmoor National Park Authority, said:

"Seeing pine martens breeding on Exmoor is a hugely encouraging milestone for nature recovery in the National Park. It shows what can be achieved through careful partnership working, long-term monitoring and the support of local communities. While this is very positive news, the population remains small and vulnerable, so continued public support and reporting of sightings will be vital as we help this native species re-establish itself."

Nigel Garnsworthy, Restore Nature Delivery Manager at the National Trust, said:
"The arrival of pine marten kits on Exmoor is a fantastic sign that these animals are beginning to establish themselves once again in the South West. This milestone reflects the strength of partnership working across the Two Moors Pine Marten Project and the dedication of volunteers, landowners and conservation organisations working together to restore nature at a landscape scale."

Similar clips of a female pine marten and offspring were recorded by the project on Dartmoor in 2025 confirming that breeding had taken place there. Now further film footage from Dartmoor suggests that pine martens have bred for a second successive year. Film showing a mother and two kits was captured by two Dartmoor residents, Tim and Rachael, on land close to where they live in the Wray Valley. Tim and Rachael said: 

"Since moving to the Wray Valley last year, we have been extremely lucky, as we have managed to capture quite a few trail cam videos of pine martens in the woods behind where we live. 

 

We have only ever filmed a single one at a time, so we couldn't believe our eyes when we downloaded this video of a mother with her two kits, playing alongside her. We feel very fortunate to have experienced this sighting and so glad to see the success of the Two Moors Pine Marten Project!"

 

Despite the breeding success of pine martens on Exmoor and Dartmoor the project is keen to stress that the animal's comeback to the region is still in its early, fragile stages. 

Daniel Brown is the Two Moors Pine Marten Project Field Officer for Dartmoor. Daniel said:

"Pine martens live at low density – meaning there aren't many of them around, even when they become established in a landscape. They are also slow breeders - giving birth to just one litter each year. This means their population growth is only gradual.

This makes their populations vulnerable to losses in road accidents, while trapping and poisoning from rodenticides are also a threat.

The vulnerability of the species means we're very keen to hear from people who see pine martens in Devon, Cornwall or Somerset. Sightings are vital in helping us track the progress of these elusive animals and landowners with trail cameras may also like to take part in our Citizen Science Woodland Survey."  

The Two Moors Pine Marten Project wants to hear from people who might have spotted a pine marten in the South West of England, especially if they have photographic evidence and details of the location. The project is also appealing for help from landowners on Exmoor and Dartmoor who own woodlands and who have access to their own trail cameras.

 Exmoor pine marten mother and 4 kits. Photo credit Two Moors Pine Martins Project

 CLICK HERE TO VIEW EXMOOR PINE MARTIN MOTHER & KITS video footage on Devon Wildlife Trust Youtube Channel

 Dartmoor pine marten mother and 2 kits. Photo credit Two Moors Pine Martin Project.

 

Contact details for the project along with lots more information about pine martens can be found at www.twomoorspinemartens.org

About the videos: 'The videos of pine marten kits were recorded in undisclosed Exmoor and Dartmoor woodlands. The Exmoor video shows a female and kits visiting a 'T-bar' used by the project and baited with peanut butter and fish oil. T-bars are used to attract pine martens so that the project can record the animals' presence on trail cameras. We estimate the kits in these films to be approx 3 months old. They appear slightly smaller than their mothers, while in the Exmoor video the mother also has a collar. This is a GPS tracker given to all the released animals'.

Gardening on the wild side. Free online talk on helping wildlife in your 'garden jungle' organised by Moor Meadows 14th January

Renowned wildlife author and bee scientist Dave Goulson is giving a free online talk to illustrate how a few changes to your garden can help reverse wildlife declines.

The talk, on Thursday 14th January at 7:30pm, is inspired by Professor Goulson's book The Garden Jungle, or Gardening to Save the Planet.

This event has been organised by Dartmoor-based Moor Meadows, a community wildflower and wildlife conservation group. Open to everyone, the event is free but you must CLICK HERE TO REGISTER PLACES

From beautiful butterflies and dazzling dragonflies to the bumblebees, wasps and hoverflies that pollinate our crops, insects make up over half the species on Earth - yet across the globe they are suffering a catastrophic decline.

In the UK, Professor Goulson suggests insect numbers have more than halved in the last 50 years.

But all is not lost. Event organizer and Moor Meadows co-founder Donna Cox of Buckfastleigh said: "Fortunately, there is something we can do to start reversing the trend. Insect populations can recover. With just a few small changes, our gardens and meadows could become a vast network of nature reserves, where humans and wildlife can thrive together."

The free talk on The Garden Jungle will include a Question and Answer session to highlight the simple ways every gardener can help endangered bees, butterflies and other insects.

Professor Goulson said: "The simplest thing you can do to make your garden more wildlife friendly is stop using pesticides. I also urge gardeners to try to be more relaxed and less tidy-minded; mow the lawn less, don't dead-head flowers at the end of summer, leave a log pile or a pile of brash for wildlife to overwinter in. In wildlife gardening, less is often more."

Members of the Moor Meadows community group are already managing more than 1,000 acres of wildflower-rich meadows to benefit insects and other wildlife. Many of these 'meadows' are in village front gardens and one is even on the roof of a shed in Chagford, so a small space dedicated to wildlife can make a huge difference.

Professor Goulson added: "If wildlife is to thrive, we need to create and restore a network of biodiverse habitats across the country, and gardens can play an important role in helping to link up and provide stepping stones between rich habitats such as wildflower meadows."

Places on the free online talk by Professor Dave Goulson can be registered at HERE

 

 

Dave Goulson at Moor Meadows 2017 conference - Photo credit Chris Chapman

Meadow on shed roof in Chagford. Photo credit Nicky Scott

Buff-tailed Bumblebee. Photo credit Andrew Taylor

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'Gardening on the wild side' - Open to everyone, the event is free 

 TAP HERE TO REGISTER NOW

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ABOUT

 

Moor Meadows Dartmoor 

Moor Meadows Dartmoor is a community group established in 2015, whose aim is to help each other in conserving, restoring and creating wildflower meadows, on any scale, in the landscape of Dartmoor. Moor Meadows Dartmoor have set up the online Meadow Makers' Forum to help with the formation of new groups across Devon.

 
More Meadows 

More Meadows is an umbrella name for the network of new meadows groups being established in different parts of Devon, all sharing information via the new Meadow Makers' Forum. Establishment of the Forum has been made possible by a grant from the Devon Environment Foundation.
 

Professor Dave Goulson 

Dave Goulson is a Professor of Biology at University of Sussex, who specialises in bumblebees. After completing a PhD on butterfly ecology he became a lecturer at University of Southampton, where he began to specialise in bumblebee ecology and conservation. In 2006 he founded the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, a charity devoted to reversing bumblebee declines. A Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society, he has published over 200 scientific articles on the ecology of bees and other insects and is the author of Bumblebees: their behaviour, ecology and conservation. His popular science books on bumblebees and other insects, and how conservation measures can help them, include A Sting in the Tale, A Buzz in the Meadow and The Garden in the Jungle.

Devon Wildlife Trust calls for token effort to combat dying trees

Leading local conservation charity Devon Wildlife Trust is asking the public to help it address one of the biggest challenges facing the county’s countryside and its wildlife.
 

It wants shoppers at Tesco stores across Devon to help it gain a major monetary boost from the supermarket giant. It’s asking people to drop the little blue tokens they receive at the check-out into the nearby collection boxes which read ‘Devon Wildlife Trust – Saving Devon’s Treescapes’.
 

The initiative is the latest effort from the charity in its attempt to address the widespread and disastrous effects of ash dieback disease. Devon Wildlife Trust’s message is very much that ‘every little helps’ in the battle to fill the hole which will be left by the widespread loss of ash trees, one of the most common and best-loved of all our trees.
 

It is estimated that ash dieback will kill at least 90% of Devon’s ash trees in the coming years. The fungal disease is now established and widespread, having arrived in the UK in 2012. Dead and sickly ash trees are a common sight in the South West. The disease and its impact on landscapes is being compared to that of Dutch Elm Disease which ravaged elm trees in the 1960s and 70s.
 

In response Devon Wildlife Trust is leading the fightback, with the Devon Ash Dieback Resilience Forum, in its Saving Devon’s Treescapes project. It wants to work with local communities across the county to plant and then look after thousands of replacement trees. These won’t be ash trees, but they will be of other native Devon species including oak, field maple, aspen , lime, beech, birch and hazel.
 

Saving Devon’s Treescapes is one of three local causes shortlisted for a Tesco Bags of Help Centenary Grant, which could be worth up to £25,000 to help it in its fight to restore Devon’s rural and urban landscapes. The charity is hoping that the public will get behind it and show their support.
 

Peter Burgess is Devon Wildlife Trust’s Director of Conservation and Development. He said: 

“The facts are stark. We anticipate losing most of the two million ash trees in Devon. That’s a lot of holes in our hedges, in our parks, gardens, roadsides and riverbanks. Their loss is also a huge blow for our already struggling wildlife. Ash trees provide food, a place to live for a wide range of other plants, animals and fungi, and crucially corridors which connect the web of life in the county.
 

We know that planting replacement, disease-resistant, native species trees is the most effective response we can make. But to do this we need the public’s help. So, I would ask, please can all Tesco shoppers add their little blue tokens to save Devon’s Treescapes ? By doing so they will be making a world of difference to the local wildlife and landscapes that we all love.”
 

The chance to help the Saving Devon’s Treescapes project runs in Tesco stores until 31 December 2019.
 

Devon Wildlife Trust is leading the Saving Devon's Treescapes project on behalf of the Devon Ash Dieback Resilience Forum, a cross-sector partnership of more than 30 organisations established in 2016.

Sick and dying ash trees. Photo copyright Devon Wildlife Trust (All rights reserved)
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More on Devon Ash Dieback Resilience Forum at www.devonashdieback.org.uk
Devon Wildlife Trust is the county’s leading environmental charity, with 35,000 members. The charity manages 51 nature reserves and six Valley Parks across Devon, including a range of beautiful landscapes such as woodlands, meadows, wetlands and heaths. Devon Wildlife Trust relies on charitable donations, grants and the generous support of its members and the general public to raise more than £4million every year. Money raised is spent maintaining our work for wildlife conservation and education in Devon, for present and future generations. More at www.devonwildlifetrust.org

Time to celebrate local wildlife at Bat Festival with the Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project.

This September people from North Devon are being invited to celebrate some very special local wildlife at one of 25 ‘Bat Festival’ events being held across the county.

The Festival, which is now in its fourth year, is organised by the Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project, which is led by the charity Devon Wildlife Trust. Two North Devon events are being planned. Both are ‘bat walks’ where people can discover the secret lives of these fascinating mammals. Both take place in Braunton, the first on Thursday 12 September at 7.30pm; the second on Thursday 19 September at 7pm. Both leave on foot from Braunton’s Countryside Centre. They are free to attend.

The Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project, which has been running since 2015, is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Working alongside local farmers, the community and other countryside organisations, the project is securing a future for what is one of Devon’s most endangered animals.

Ruth Testa, Project Manager of the Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project, said:

“We want to welcome as many local people as possible to our fourth and biggest ever Bat Festival! Devon is an vital refuge for the greater horseshoe bat. About a third of the UK’s population of this special mammal live here, making the county a real stronghold for them. The Bat Festival is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to learn about and celebrate local bats. The help of local communities to protect greater horseshoe bats is more important than it has ever been as the species has declined by more than 90% in the last 100 years.”

North Devon Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is helping the project run its Bat Festival events. Dave Edgcombe is the AONB’s Project Officer and said:

“We are delighted with the exciting bat events that are being staged across Devon with the project’s partners. The Bat Festival gives everyone an opportunity to find out more about the secret lives of bats. Here in North Devon there are 2 bat detecting walks in Braunton – do join us for some bat spotting!"

Full details about all 25 of the Bat Festival’s events can be found at www.devonbatproject.org/events

Greater Horseshoe Bat - Photo copyright Mike Symes

Be (bee?!) kind to hornets, says charity

A leading local wildlife charity is hoping to bring the plight of the humble hornet to the public’s attention.

Devon Wildlife Trust is worried that a spate of recent news stories about the threats to native nature by the invasive Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) is resulting in the persecution of our home-grown hornets.

Asian hornets are devastating to honey bees, with the invasive insects raiding and destroying colonies. There is now growing fear among the UK’s beekeepers who are worried that the presence of Asian hornets threatens the future of the honey bee.

Confirmed reports of Asian hornet nests in North Devon in 2017 and in Cornwall in September have fuelled these concerns.

However, the charity Devon Wildlife Trust believes that fears over the arrival of the Asian hornet is now leading to the misguided persecution of another separate species, the native European hornet (vespa crabro).

The Trust’s Steve Hussey said:

“We’ve had several people telling us via social media that they think they have an Asian hornet nest on their property and asking can they destroy it? Other people have told us that they have already gone ahead and destroyed nests, suspecting them of belonging to Asian hornets. Unfortunately, where we’ve been able to do further investigation all the cases have proved to be European hornets and not the invasive species.”

“This is really unfortunate. European hornets are a beautiful and vital part of our environment. They also help us by helping to keep in check many insect species that gardeners consider to be pests.”

“European hornets are also struggling and their persecution is one of the factors behind this recent decline. Other countries are now urgently acting to conserve their remaining hornets; in Germany, for example, since 1987 it has been illegal to destroy a hornet nest. We need to look after our native population too.”

Devon Wildlife Trust recommends that people be aware of the threat of Asian hornets and they should immediately follow official guidelines on suspected cases. This means not destroying the nest and instead carefully photographing the insect without disturbing the nest and submitting an on-line sighting report to the GB Non-native Species Secretariat (NNSS).

Steve Hussey said:

“Telling a native European hornet apart from an Asian hornet isn’t always easy. Our native hornets are slightly bigger, while Asian hornets tend to be smaller and of a darker colour, not yellow, especially on their thorax (middle section) and abdomens (tail section).”

“However, it is easy to be confused, so our advice is always not to destroy a nest, but instead to report suspected sightings of Asian hornets to the NNSS.”

“It’s now easy to make a report via their website www.nonnativespecies.org. There is even an App that you can download for Apple and Android phones. The alternative is to risk doing harm to an already struggling part of our native British wildlife.”

European hornet emerging from its nest - Photo copyright Devon Wildlife Trust (All Rights Reserved)

 

 European Hornet's nest - Photo copyright Devon Wildlife Trust (All Rights Reserved)

Theft leaves wildlife charity short for winter

Thieves have left a local wildlife charity struggling with a hole in their roof and a deeper hole in their pockets after they struck at one of its nature reserves.

Staff at Devon Wildlife Trust’s Meeth Quarry nature reserve, near Hatherleigh, arrived at work last week to find that thieves had smashed their way through the roof of their workshop and then proceeded to loot its contents.

The burglars stole a quad bike belonging to the charity along with three chainsaws and other equipment. They then escaped using the quad bike, driving it along the Tarka Trail, which runs through the reserve, to Petrockstowe.

In all Devon Wildlife Trust estimates that around £7,000 of equipment was taken, while the cost of repairing the roof of its building could run to many thousands of pounds.

Speaking for the charity which cares for 50 nature reserves in Devon, Stuart Hodgkiss said:

“It was an upsetting day for our staff. In the short term the lengthy clean-up and repair operation has been disruptive taking them away from their work for wildlife. 

However, more troubling is the longer term theft of equipment. Our nature reserves are entering their busiest period, when vital autumn and winter works are scheduled. The loss of a quad bike and chainsaws means that this work will suffer both at Meeth Quarry and at the other North Devon reserves staff cover.”

Meeth Quarry was once a massive clay extraction quarry with open pits and even its own railway. But production at the quarry ceased in the 1990s. In 2012 its 150 hectares were made a nature haven by Devon Wildlife Trust. In the years since it has become a popular local place to visit by people eager to explore its network of paths and cycle tracks. The reserve is also home to some special wildlife including species such as the rare wood white butterfly, strawberry spider and hundreds of migrating birds.   

Anyone with information on the theft which took place on the night of Wednesday 12  
September should contact the police by calling 101 quo ting crime reference number CR084233/18.

https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org 

Battle to protect wildlife at sea receives boost today

Devon Wildlife Trust welcomes possibility of 9 new Marine Conservation Zones for Devon and 41 nationwide.

Today the government has launched a consultation asking the public for their views about protecting a new group of Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) – areas at sea where wildlife is protected from damaging activities. 41 special places have been chosen for the public to comment on, including nine in Devon’s waters.

The Devon sites range from the Dart estuary, which is home to both British species of seahorse, to Morte Platform - between Morte Point and Lundy - where a great diversity of marine wildlife is supported on an area of seabed consisting of rocky, sandy and muddy habitats featuring living reefs and mussel beds.

Plymouth-based Joan Edwards, Director of Living Seas at The Wildlife Trusts said:
“We’ve been calling for the government to give real protection to a connected network of diverse sea-bed habitats since 2009. Only 50 have been designated so far and this new consultation on 41 special places is really good news. We need to restore the sea-bed that has been ravaged over the past century and allow fragile marine life to recover – and this can only be done with good management. Without these astonishing submerged landscapes there simply wouldn't be any fish, let alone fantastic jewel anemones, seahorses, and all the other wild and extraordinary creatures which are part of a healthy marine ecosystem.”

Devon Wildlife Trust believes that the consultation is a big step in the right direction for England’s seas. Proper protection of these sites after designation will mean that our seas will be given the opportunity to recover. However, there is disappointment that the proposed 1100 square kilometre protected area for Lyme Bay’s white-beaked dolphins is missing from the consultation.

Harry Barton, Devon Wildlife Trust’s Chief Executive, said:
“I’m thrilled to see that we’ve got a really good chance to protect nine new marine sites around Devon’s beautiful coasts. I’m particularly pleased that our internationally important estuaries, among them the Dart, the Otter and the Erme, are on the list of potential sites. It’s disappointing that neither the Taw and Torridge estuaries nor the Lyme Bay Deeps site for dolphins and seabirds have been included on the list. We desperately need to safeguard areas for these wonderful creatures so that they can continue to grace our seas. We’ll keep pushing for greater protection for these areas in future.”

The full list of new proposed Marine Conservation Zones for Devon comprises:

• Axe Estuary
• Dart Estuary
• Devon Avon Estuary
• East of Start Point
• Erme Estuary
• Morte Platform
• North-west of Lundy
• South-west Approaches to the Bristol Channel
• Otter Estuary

Harry Barton continued: “The most important thing now is that as many people as possible tell the government that they want these sites protected. If we succeed, it’ll be a huge step forward for marine wildlife and to leaving our natural environment in a better state than we found it.”

The Wildlife Trusts are calling on the public to back the 41 potential Marine Conservation Zones in the consultation – details of how to do this will be added to The Wildlife Trusts and Devon Wildlife Trust websites and on social media in the next week. The consultation closes on Friday 20th July 2018.

 

Devonshire Cup Coral can also be found on the Morte Platform - Photo copyright Paul Naylor (All Rights Reserved)

Plaice as found in Holderness Offshore MCZ and the Morte Platform - Photo copyright Paul Naylor (All rights reserved)

Prof Iain Stewart revealed as charity’s new president

Plymouth University academic and TV geologist Professor Iain Stewart MBE has been revealed as the new president of top local conservation charity Devon Wildlife Trust.

Prof Stewart is only the third person to take on the honorary role since the conservation charity was founded 55 years ago in 1962. His appointment was made after a unanimous decision by Devon Wildlife Trust’s 15 strong Board of Trustees. He succeeds Prof Ian Mercer CBE, the eminent conservationist who had held the position from 1985 until his death in September 2016.

Prof Stewart spent a recent visit to Devon Wildlife Trust’s Wembury Marine Centre finding out about the work the charity does for local people and nature. Prof Stewart spoke of his new role as The Trust’s president:

“It’s a tremendously exciting opportunity. Wildlife conservation is fresh territory for me and it’s going to be a big learning curve, but it will allow me to indulge myself in all the things I loved as a kid – the natural world and a sense of adventure.

I thought a lot about whether to take this role up with Devon Wildlife Trust. I said yes because the charity is local to me. They are right in my neighbourhood. But I also said yes because for a lot of people wildlife is an entry point to something much bigger. There’s an overlap between people who are interested in wildlife and issues in my working world such as climate change.”

The geologist, who is Director of the Sustainable Earth Institute at Plymouth University’s School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, joined pupils from Coombe Dean Secondary School, Plymouth on a guided rockpool safari to discover the wildlife which lives in Wembury’s many tidal pools. Among the group’s finds were shore crabs, pipe fish and cushion stars. Prof Stewart said:

“Spending time with these young people you can see there’s loads of energy, it’s just buzzing. One of the best things about this kind of event is that it provides really simple excitement from being outdoors and exploring nature. It’s the kind of thing I did as a child and I also did it with my kids on this very beach. You get the sense that the children here today don’t think they are learning science, they are just having fun, which is fantastic.

Devon Wildlife Trust is an exemplar as to how you can combine good science and a passionate membership, with effective decision making. I’m proud that I am now to be a part of it.”

Devon Wildlife Trust’s Chair, Dr Peta Foxall, joined Prof Stewart on his visit and welcomed the news of the appointment. She said:

"I am delighted that Iain has accepted the Board’s invitation to become President of Devon Wildlife Trust. Iain’s knowledge and expertise as a geologist and his infectious enthusiasm for the subject means that he will be a great ambassador for the work of the Trust.”

Harry Barton, Devon Wildlife Trust’s Chief Executive, spoke of the role Prof Iain Stewart would now take up. He said:

“I’m absolutely delighted about Iain’s appointment, as I am sure will be our 31,000 members and our many other supporters. Iain is a brilliant communicator and has turned audiences on to geology all over the world through his TV series, such as How Earth Made Us. I have no doubt that he will be a wonderful advocate for our work too.

Wildlife and wild places remain Devon’s best assets but they face some serious pressures today. I’m so pleased that Iain has agreed to become our president and help us champion their cause.”

Prof Stewart was born in East Kilbride, Scotland and studied geography and geology at Strathclyde University. He came to Devon in 2004 to take up a teaching and research post at Plymouth University. He was later appointed Professor of Geoscience Communication, believed to be the first position of its type in the world.

He lives in Plymouth with his partner Paola and two teenage daughters. In a profile piece with the Sunday Telegraph in 2010 Prof Stewart described his favourite Devon haunts as Dartmoor, the waterfalls at Lydford Gorge and the county’s wonderful beaches.

 Prof Iain Stewart, Devon Wildlife Trust’s new President, at Wembury Marine Centre, near Plymouth

Prof Iain Stewart, centre, with Devon Wildlife Trust’s Chair, Dr Peta Foxall, and Devon Wildlife Trust’s Chief Executive, Harry Barton.

Wildlife Trust welcomes back long-lost crab

A species of crab which had not been seen in Devon for more than 30 years has been found living on a popular stretch of coast close to Plymouth.

The crustacean in question goes by the scientific name Clibanarius erythropus but is more commonly known as the St Piran's crab. The find was made in Wembury Bay by Devon Wildlife Trust volunteer John Hepburn on one of the many regular rockpool safaris run by the charity from its popular Wembury Marine Centre.

The last record of a St Piran's crab in Devon was made in 1985. Once common along the southern coastline of the South West it's thought that the crab, which measures no more than 15mm long, fell victim to pollution resulting from environmental disasters including the wrecking of Torrey Canyon oil tanker in 1967, along with other factors including changing sea temperatures.

Wembury Marine Centre's rockpool safaris have been running for 25 years bringing a unique insight into marine life along our coasts to thousands of holidaymakers and local people. John Hepburn has been volunteering at the Marine Centre for 13 years helping with hundreds of safaris. However, on this occasion he came across something very special among the seaweed and sand of the Bay's tidal rockpools.

St Piran's crab is a type of hermit crab which uses the empty shells of other molluscs to make a home. Spotting what he thought was a relatively common find in the shape of a 'netted dog whelk' shell, John made his amazing discovery. He said:
"Picking up the shell I realised it was not empty. What I assumed was a hermit crab was more confident than usual and came out a long way to examine the end of my finger. Being colour-blind I asked the family I was showing around the rockpools if the crab was red, and having been told it was reddish, I thought it worthwhile trying to get a picture in case it was a St Piran's crab."

Once back home John examined his picture, comparing it with on-line videos of St Piran's crabs. His find matched the videos, a fact confirmed later by the Marine Biological Association of the UK. This Devon discovery of a St Piran's crab follows its re-discovery in March in Cornwall, close to Falmouth. The Cornish find was the first in the UK since the 1980s and generated widespread media attention. Viewers of BBC's Spring Watch programme were asked to give the crustacean a 'common' name which up until that point had only been known as Clibanarius erythropus. St Piran, the patron Saint of Cornwall, was the popular response.

Now St Piran's crabs have also been found alive and well living in Devon and their proud discoverer John Hepburn said:
"This is a pretty special find. There were lots of other people hoping to be the one to discover the first St Piran's crab outside Cornwall. That it's now making a comeback after being absent from our shores for so long shows that it is always worth making the effort to save our seas."

Coral Smith, Marine Education Officer at Devon Wildlife Trust said:
"John's discovery came during one of our regular rockpool safaris. It just goes to show that our local marine wildlife still has the capacity to surprise and how important places like Wembury are, it's why it holds one of the highest forms of statutory protection as a Special Area of Conservation. We're honoured that Devon's first St Piran's crabs have been found here - they are certainly very welcome back!"

The answer to the question of how these small crabs may have re-established themselves in the South West after an absence of decades remains something of a mystery. However some marine biologists think the new populations of St Piran's crabs may have been carried across the seas as plankton from existing populations on the west coast of France.

Wembury Marine Centre's rockpool safaris continue through summer into the autumn. For more details visit www.wemburymarinecentre.org

St Piran's crab  - Photo copyright Devon Wildlife Trust volunteer John Hepburn (All rights Reserved)

A rockpool safari at Wembury Marine Centre. Photo copyright Nigel Hicks (All rights reserved)

A day of discovery at Cricklepit Mill and wildlife garden

A wildlife garden and historic mill in the heart of Exeter will be opening its doors
to the public for a special summer open day.

The 'Water and Wildlife' event is being held at Cricklepit Mill, the headquarters of
Devon Wildlife Trust, on Friday 12 August, 10am - 3pm. Cricklepit is the last
working watermill in Exeter and is only a stone's throw away from the Quay.

Visitors will be given the chance to see the historic mill in action. Milling will
run throughout the morning from 10am-12noon with volunteer millers on hand to answer
any questions and help people discover the fascinating process of flour production.

Exeter once had many mills in the city but Cricklepit is the only one to survive in
its working state, and represents an integral part of the city's industrial
heritage. The flour produced on the day will be available to buy.
Families can go wild in the garden with natural arts and crafts. There will be
weaving, flower pressing and wild art pictures, all making use of the natural
materials around.

Visitors can also discover what hides in the meadows with bug hunting throughout the
day! The Cricklepit garden has been designed for wildlife with grasshoppers,
colourful moths and flower beetles all making their homes here.

Devon Wildlife Trust's Jasmine Atkinson said 'this is a day for everyone to discover
the wonders of Cricklepit. The historic machinery fascinates all, both young and
old. Visitors can feel the grain, smell the flour dust and hear the old cogs'

'The wildlife garden will be our inspiration for natural crafts, and children can
create and make wonderful artwork to take home with them.'

'We are looking forward to opening the gates on this special summer holiday event.
Its drop-in so visitors can come anytime; bring a picnic and make a day of it or pop
in on your way to the Quay'.

The wildlife garden will also be open to visitors. Cricklepit's garden is an urban
oasis in the heart of the city. Mid-Summer is a great time to visit this
community-led project. Holly blue butterflies, grey wagtails and occasionally
kingfishers can be seen in the garden!

The Water and Wildlife Day is taking place at Cricklepit Mill, EX2 4AB, near Exeter
Quay on 12th August, between 10am- 3pm. It's free and visitors are invited to
drop-in throughout the day. Milling demonstrations will run 10am - 12noon.

This day is part of a new campaign called My Wild Neighbourhood by The Southern
Co-operative and Wildlife Trusts in the southern region to help families get outside
and explore wildness in their neighbourhoods.


For more information about this event go to http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org 

or find us on Facebook facebook.com/devonwildlife and Twitter @Cricklepitmill.

For people who cannot make this date the Mill's gardens are open 9am-5pm weekdays
(except Bank Holidays) throughout the year.

Charity invites people to discover North Devon wildlife haven

A conservation charity is promising a day of discovery at one of its top North Devon nature reserves. Devon Wildlife Trust is staging a Nature Reserve Discovery Days at its Meeth Quarry, near Hatherleigh. The free event is open to all and takes place between 10.30am and 4pm on Sunday 22nd May. Devon Wildlife Trust’s Jo Pullin is the event’s master planner.

She said: 

“Each year we hold a series of Discovery Days to showcase the best of Devon’s wild landscapes and its most exciting wildlife. This time it’s the turn of our Meeth Quarry nature reserve to be the host. We’re expecting good numbers of people to join us to explore this beautiful part of North Devon.” Meeth Quarry only became a Devon Wildlife Trust nature reserve in 2013. It was formerly a clay quarry but ceased work in the early 2000s after 100 years of production. Despite its industrial past the reserve is a wildlife hotspot being well-known for dragonflies, butterflies, birds and deer.

Jo Pullin said: 

“The event will pick up on some of the local wildlife stars. We plan to construct a giant butterfly sculpture during the day. Everyone can come along and help in the building of this mega-beast! Our Discovery Days are designed to get people to connect with their local wildlife. They are a great, free way for families to explore their wilder sides. ”The event also features pond-dipping, a specially constructed nature quiz trail, kids’ crafts and refreshments. There will also be a series of guided walks exploring the nature reserve (leaving at 11.30am and 2.30pm), and special butterfly walks led by experts from Butterfly Conservation (leaving at 11am and 2pm).

At 150 hectares Meeth Quarry is one of Devon Wildlife Trust’s biggest nature reserves. It is also one of its most easily accessible. The Tarka Trail cycle route runs through its heart. Bike trails, footpaths and easy access trails allow visitors to explore. The reserve is also served by toilets and a large car park, located via an access lane from Meeth village and the A386, four miles north of Hatherleigh. To find out more about the Meeth Quarry Discovery Day go to the ‘What’s on?’ pages of www.devonwildlifetrust.org 

 Pond dipping at Meeth Quarry Nature Reserve

Meeth Quary Nature Reserve - Photo copyright DWT (All rights Reserved)

Tap here for more about Meeth Quarry Discovery Day between 10.30am and 4pm on Sunday 22nd May. 

Meeth Quarry, Devon, EX20 3ER Map reference SS 547 078

Wildlife left guessing by mild winter weather

The mild weather is set to continue but as temperature records are broken and the ice rinks melt, Devon Wildlife Trust is asking us to spare a thought for our local wildlife.

Winter is a tough time for wildlife. It is a time of hibernation, migration and survival. But with temperatures reaching 14 degrees in Exeter at the beginning of the week, Devon's wildlife is not following its usual seasonal patterns.

The charity Devon Wildlife Trust is reporting some strange goings on at the 50 nature reserves it cares for across the county. David Wodehouse who helps manage DWT's Meeth Quarry nature reserve, near Holsworthy said:
 "The primroses are out at Meeth, normally a sign that spring is on the way. We also have marsh ragwort and wild strawberries in flower and our bee hives are still active."

Andrew Warren who has worked on The Trust's reserves for more than ten years added:
"Many of our winter birds including robins and song thrushes have been very vocal. I'm almost expecting to start seeing them collect twigs ready for nesting!" Birds do sing throughout winter but often in short bursts. The long songs being heard now suggest that these birds are thinking it might be time to find a mate and start breeding.

Devon Wildlife Trust has also been receiving reports that hibernating animals or those that normally lie dormant in the winter are being spotted out and about. Toads are one species that still seem to be very active this December. Some experts are concerned that this will have a knock on effect on toad numbers as female toads must go through a period of dormancy to develop their eggs ready for spawning in spring.

Sightings of hedgehogs are also being sent into the Trust with these prickly garden friends still being seen at people's garden feeding stations. Hedgehogs normally go into hibernation around October or November. Bats are another hibernating creature still on the move. East Devon based bat expert Sarah Butcher tweeted
"Common pipistrelle bat hunting over Devon Wildlife Trust Bystock Pools this evening. Bizarre for the shortest day of the year!"

Pete Burgess, Devon Wildlife Trust's Director of Development, Policy and Research said:
"Our wildlife has evolved over millennia to cope with our climate. As weather patterns change at an unprecedented pace, we are entering a period of great uncertainty. "It is unknown how our wildlife will cope with the recent mild weather. Everything has been delayed as if we are having an extended autumn, this is unlikely to have a significant long term effect unless it extends throughout the rest of the winter. If we have a mild spring followed by a cold snap, that's when you can have more serious problems."

Devon Wildlife Trust are asking members of the public to send in their unusual wildlife sightings via Twitter @DevonWildlife or Facebook. The Trust wants to get a clearer idea of the effect the weather is having on Devon's Wildlife. The charity advises that people help their local wildlife by providing a regular supply of fresh water and keeping birdfeeders topped up. To find out more about Devon Wildlife Trust visit devonwildlifetrust.org  

Photo Hedgehog copyright Adrian Evans (All rights reserved)

Photo  Robin copyright Chris Root(All rights reserved)

Fresh evidence of beavers discovered at four sites on East Devon river

Despite recent news headlines that a local beaver population had 'disappeared' from their East Devon home, a local wildlife charity is now claiming that it has evidence that they are very much alive.

In November the BBC reported the concerns of some local people that they had not had sightings of beavers on the River Otter for some weeks. This 'disappearance' was then reported by national newspapers. However, Devon Wildlife Trust has now come forward with evidence which shows that the beavers are still there, although they may have relocated their homes, known as lodges, along the river.

Devon Wildlife Trust is leading the River Otter Beaver Trial - a five year study of what is believed to be the first population of breeding beavers living wild in the English countryside for several centuries. The charity has said that it is currently monitoring four 'active areas' along the river where it has seen fresh evidence of the beavers' presence.

Mark Elliott is the Trial's manager and said:

"We knew the beavers had not 'disappeared' but it's good to be able to report recent evidence showing that they are still active on the river. Beavers are mobile animals and it's quite common for them to shift their lodges and feeding grounds. There's lots of room for beavers on this river so it's unsurprising that they have relocated from the places that we saw them last spring and summer."

The beavers have proved popular with local people and have also attracted many wildlife-lovers to East Devon after the animals gained national coverage when their story was featured on BBC's Springwatch programme. Devon Wildlife Trust's own series of beaver walks along the river were fully subscribed in 2015 and now the charity says it plans to run more next year to meet demand. However, winter is not the time to go beaver watching and any visitors are likely to leave disappointed. 

Mark Elliott explained:

"Beavers are largely nocturnal animals so they are difficult to see during winter when the nights are long. However, they will still be busy at this time building their lodges, preparing for mating in January and the birth of their kits in May. At this time we're keeping the locations of the new beaver sites a secret to ensure that disturbance to the animals and local landowners is kept to a minimum."

In February 2015 it was established that nine beavers were living on the River Otter. In May it is known that a breeding female gave birth to three kits taking the total to 12. This family were seen by many people throughout summer close to their lodge on a stretch of river near Ottery St Mary.

Devon Wildlife Trust is keen to record sightings of beavers to help it with its ongoing work monitoring the impact of the animals on local communities, local landowners and wildlife. Mark Elliott said: "

As we move into the New Year and the daylight hours lengthen beavers will be active at dusk and dawn. If people do see them then it's important they let us know so that we can get a clearer picture of the beavers' numbers and locations."

People with information can let the charity know if they see a beaver via email on beavers@devonwildlifetrust.org and mailto:beavers@devonwildlifetrust.org with details of the date, time, exact location and whether the beaver has a coloured ear tag.

The River Otter Beaver Trial receives no government funding. Devon Wildlife Trust is urging people to offer their support via its website www.devonwildlifetrust.org/devons-wild-beavers-appeal

Recent beaver activity has been found at four places along the River Otter in East Devon. Photo copyright DWT (All rights reserved)

North Devon's nature feels benefit from Biffa Award

Some of North Devon's most stunning and wildlife-rich nature reserves have benefitted from £500,000 of Biffa Award funding as a Flagship project - money made available through the Landfill Communities Fund.

The support has allowed the charity Devon Wildlife Trust to make vital improvements at 11 of its nature reserves in North Devon. Sites at Meresfelle, Volehouse Moor, Mambury Moor, Stowford Moor, Veilstone Moor, Stapleton Mire, Ash Moor, Dunsdon, Vealand, Meeth Quarry and Ashmoor have all seen work undertaken to make positive changes for local wildlife.

Among the highlights Biffa Award has helped The Trust to restore and recreate nearly 50 hectares of 'species rich' grassland - an important home to wildflowers including orchids, ragged robin and birdsfoot trefoil. 250 further hectares of existing grassland is now in better long-term management. Five kilometres of traditional Devon hedgebanks have also been rebuilt, restored and replanted with trees including hawthorn, blackthorn, ash and oak. Wildflower seeds have been harvested from 50 hectares of existing Culm grassland to be spread on sites elsewhere. The project also saw 300 metres of the historic Bude Canal restored and re-watered at The Trust's Dunsdon National Nature Reserve, near Holsworthy. The canal is now home to frogs and dragonflies.

Devon Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve Officer Steve Threlkeld has worked on the project for the past three years. Steve said: "Funding from Biffa Award has made a crucial difference. For some time we've had a long list of improvements that we wanted to make to our North Devon nature reserves but without help we would have struggled to undertake them. Now it's very rewarding to see the positive changes that the work has made for local wildlife. To see wildflowers growing where they were once lacking, to see dragonflies flying over a new stretch of canal that you have created and to see a new Devon hedgebank planted up and growing, is very satisfying."

Local people have benefitted from the funding too. Much of the work carried out has been done by Devon Wildlife Trust staff in conjunction with local contractors, bringing money and work to the rural economy. Local volunteers have also played a key role, while The Trust has also organised a series of 16 public events showcasing the work done, its techniques and the benefits it can bring.

Matt Boydell, Devon Wildlife Trust's Land Manager said: "Our work under the Biffa Award is now in its final phase but its legacy will last. It's helped us improve our North Devon nature reserves and we believe it's been an example of positive land management for wildlife. We've learned a lot of lessons which will shape how landscapes are managed in the future."

Gillian French, Head of Grants, Biffa Award said: "We're really proud to have been a part of this incredible habitat restoration project across Devon. Over the past three years we have enjoyed our visits to Devon Wildlife Trust's Meeth Quarry nature reserve, and others to see how Landfill Communities funding has helped restore this unique landscape. "

Harvesting wildflower seed at Vealand nature reserve near Holsworthy

Clearing the bed of the historic Bude Canal at Dunsdon National Nature Reserve with the re-watered canal after work was completed 

Photos copyright Devon Wildlife Trust (All Rights Reserved)  

Dartmoor beauty spot wins lottery

Access to a Dartmoor beauty spot is set to see big improvements thanks to funding from the People's Postcode Lottery. Devon Wildlife Trust's Emsworthy Mire nature reserve is known to many Dartmoor visitors for its impressive carpet of bluebells which appear in May and June each year. The reserve covers 100 hectares of a shallow valley between Widecombe-in-the Moor and Haytor. Now, £10,000 from the People's Postcode Trust - a grant-giving charity, funded entirely by players of People's Postcode Lottery - is set to open up another side of the nature reserve.

As the name suggests, Emsworthy Mire is a wet place - much of it too wet to allow easy access for people. But this new funding will help to change this. Among the main changes secured by funding will be the installation of 130 metres of wooden boardwalk. The new walkways will allow visitors to tour the reserve without sinking in to knee-high mud. In other parts of the reserve easy-access gates are being provided, while new paths are to be cut through dense bracken.

To ensure that visitors know where to explore new way markers and entrance signage are also being introduced. It's the job of Devon Wildlife Trust's Jackie Gage to look after Emsworthy Mire for wildlife and people. Jackie said: 'Funding from the People's Postcode Lottery is a tremendous boost for this special corner of Dartmoor. Some parts of the site are well-known to walkers and day-trippers, but other parts, especially those that are very wet and boggy, have largely been off-limits to visitors. Now we hope to let people into see the butterflies, bog plants, birds and dragonflies that make this such a wonderful place.' However, the Trust is being careful to balance the needs of people with those of the precious moorland wildlife that lives at Emsworthy Mire. Jackie explained:

 'Despite the changes, we're making sure that there are enough parts of the nature reserve which will remain undisturbed by people. The new boardwalks and waymarks will be discreet and in keeping with this wild place.'

Work to bring about greater access to the nature reserve has already begun. In recent weeks teams of local volunteers and students from Duchy College have helped lay boardwalk over some of its swampiest areas. A new easy access gate has also been installed. The remainder of the work will be finished later this year. When complete the new boardwalks and paths will link the nature reserve with a popular local footpath from nearby Hound Tor. 

One local volunteer who has helped in the project is Andrew Taylor. Andrew, who lives in nearby Manaton, spoke of the affection for the nature reserve and its wildlife which inspired him to get involved. 

'Emsworthy Mire is a special place with some spectacular wildlife. In spring and summer its bluebells and cotton grass make for a wonderful sight. The rare marsh fritillary butterfly has made a home here, alongside at least a dozen species of dragonfly. The nature reserve is also one of the most reliable places to see and hear cuckoos - one of several species that is declining across much of our countryside, but which still thrives at Emsworthy Mire.'

  'New funding will allow more people to enjoy Emsworthy's wonderful wildlife'. Photo copyright 'Simon Williams' (All rights reserved)

Volunteers are helping Devon Wildlife Trust construct new boardwalks at the Dartmoor beauty spot, Emsworthy Mire. Photo copyright DevonWildlife Trust (All rights reserved)

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Devon Wildlife Trust Emsworthy Moor  Grid ref SX 747 764

The nature reserve is open 365 days a year and is free to enter. It can be found off the B3387 Bovey Tracey to Widecombe-in-the-Moor road, past Hay Tor. There is a small car park on the right hand side just beyond Saddle Tor. From here there it is a 100m walk downhill to a gate at the south east entrance to the reserve.