The birds are getting lively, the Blackbirds are trilling at dawn - I expect they are getting ready for the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch which starts today. Here is a beautiful Robin posing for me in the sunshine at Rosemoor last Saturday. Leave a comment if you'll be taking part.
Not sure about the timing, as last year there is heavy rain and another named storm (Storm Ingrid) on the way today in the Southwest which seems to be par for the course for the Big Garden Birdwatch so a good oportunity to have a cup of coffee and count the birds through the window.
Want to attract a variety of birds? By far the favourite food for most of them are Sunflower Hearts but its best to have a variety of birdfood and always keep birdbaths filled up as they need water and love splashing about preening and fluffing their feathers at this time of year
My tips to encourage all types of birds to your garden.
Sunflower hearts - Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Sparrows, Blue Tits, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Greenfinch, Starlings will take over the feeding stations at this time if year.
Peanuts - Blue Tits, Woodpecker, Sparrows, Chaffinch, Robin
Niger Seed - Goldfinch, Blue Tit
Sunflower Seeds - Bullfinch
Meal Worms - Loved by ground feeders including Robin, Blackbird, Dunnock and Wren
Fat balls, Suet cake - all the birds love this
Attention - its time for the Big Garden Birdwatch. Photo copyright Pat Adams North Devon Focus
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"
"Big
Garden Birdwatch is the UK's biggest citizen science wildlife survey.
By taking part, you can help us understand how our garden birds are
doing right now.
Join the world's largest garden wildlife survey 23th-25th January 2026" - Find out more at RSPB
Big Garden Birdwatch is the UK's biggest citizen science wildlife survey. By taking part, you can help us understand how our garden birds are doing right now.
A new report published today reveals that the South West of England could support a reintroduction of European wildcats after more than a 100-year absence from the area, marking a vital next step in helping to secure the future of the UK’s most critically endangered mammal.
The study finds that a sustainable population of wildcats could flourish in the South West and that 80% of people surveyed in the region were positive about their reintroduction.
The comprehensive two-year investigation, undertaken by the South West Wildcat Project – a partnership of organisations led by Devon Wildlife Trust which includes Forestry England and the Derek Gow Consultancy – concentrated its analysis on four main aspects of wildcat reintroduction: 1) impacts on people and communities; 2) impacts on other wildlife; 3) impacts on farming livestock and pets; and 4) the long-term sustainability of a wildcat population after reintroduction. The report’s full findings can be read at www.devonwildlifetrust.org/south-west-wildcat-project
European wildcats – historically also known as ‘woodcats’ – were once widespread in the South West, along with many other parts of England, Scotland and Wales. However, centuries of persecution, plus the loss and fragmentation of their favoured woodland and rough grassland habitats saw them disappear across much of their range. The South West’s last wildcats are thought to have survived until the mid-nineteenth century.
Devon Wildlife Trust’s Cath Jeffs is South West Wildcat Project lead. Cath said:
“It’s exciting that this report suggests wildcats could be part of the region’s nature once again. The return of this critically endangered species would be another step in the restoration of our native wildlife and will help re-balance local ecosystems.
Wildcats were once a widespread part of our countryside and today they remain an important part of woodlands throughout continental Europe including Germany, France, Spain and Italy.
A lot of work remains to be done before the first wildcats could be released in the South West. Honest and open dialogue with stakeholders will be key to making sure the species and local communities could thrive alongside one another in the future.”
Today the UK’s only remaining wildcats live in the Highlands of Scotland. Despite being given protected status in 1988 wildcats are now classed as ‘critically endangered’ and at risk of extinction with as few as 115 individuals remaining in the wild. The Saving Wildcats project was established in 2020 to reinforce the animal’s numbers in Scotland.
In response to the animal’s precarious situation, previous preliminary research into restoring wildcats beyond their Scottish base by the Vincent Wildlife Trust (VWT) concluded that the South West may provide the best combination of conditions needed to re-establish the native animal in England.
The South West Wildcat Project was therefore established in 2023 to investigate the feasibility of a reintroduction to the region. Its report, published today, concludes:
The South West contains enough woodland cover connected by other suitable habitat to support a sustainable wildcat population. It highlights a well-connected landscape of habitat across mid Devon as potentially the most suitable for reintroductions to take place.
A significant majority of people in the South West expressed positive views towards wildcat reintroduction to their region. Two separate surveys were conducted by independent researchers at the University of Exeter. In one, 71% of 1,000 people (representative of the age and gender of the region’s population) liked the idea of wildcat return. In the other, 83% of 1,425 who responded to an online questionnaire expressed positivity towards wildcat reintroduction. The University of Exeter’s report can be viewed at www.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14283637
Wildcats pose no significant risk to existing endangered wildlife populations such as bats and dormice. Wildcat diets concentrate on widespread commonly found species, with 75% of their prey consisting of small mammals including voles, rats, wood mice and rabbits. Their presence would help ‘balance’ existing ecosystems by returning a missing predator which co-evolved alongside native wildlife.
Wildcats pose no threat to people, domestic pets or farming livestock such as lambs. Commercial and domestic poultry can be protected from wildcats with the same precautions deployed for existing predators such as foxes.
The report also identifies two areas which a future reintroduction project should address to ensure success:
Hybridisation (interbreeding) between wildcats and feral/domestic cats has become a recent issue for the existing wildcat populations in Scotland, threatening the genetic security of the species. The report concludes that, to succeed, a reintroduction project in the South West must address this by working with local communities and cat welfare organisations to support a neutering programme for feral/domestic cats in areas where wildcats will be present.
A future reintroduction project must also prioritise engagement with local communities and stakeholders. It should establish open and ongoing communication with those who have concerns about wildcats. It proposes a monitoring and management programme which will operate after reintroduction, addressing issues if and where they arise.
While there are no immediate plans to release wildcats, Devon Wildlife Trust and its partners are committed to developing plans for reintroduction. This includes securing funding to ensure the best chance of success.
Abby Parravani is Forest Planner at Forestry England. Abby said:
“Forestry England is proud to be a partner in the pioneering South West Wildcat Project. I’m thrilled that the feasibility report shows the suitability of South West England to reintroduce this missing native species, contributing to the restoration of ecosystems across this landscape.
We’re looking forward to the next phase of the project as we move one step closer to returning wildcats to the South West.”
Independent research into public attitudes towards wildcats and their reintroduction in the South West of England was undertaken by Dr Roger Auster, Lecturer in Environmental Social Science, based in the Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste, University of Exeter. Roger said:
“From both in-person research with stakeholder representatives and public surveys, we found there to be broad support for the idea of wildcat reintroduction, yet with need to understand more about wildcats and the role they play in local ecosystems. With the meaningful involvement of stakeholders during planning, we conclude that wildcat reintroduction is socially viable."
Wildcat. Photo copyright Tom Mason (All Rights Reserved)
Wildcats. Photo copyright Tom Mason (All Rights Reserved)
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Devon Wildlife Trust’s Cath Jeffs will be giving an on-line talk ‘Wildcats: could the UK’s rarest mammal make a return to Devon?’ at 6pm on Thursday 4th December. To register for free go to www.devonwildlifetrust.org/events
A pioneering nature recovery project has reintroduced 19 pine
martens to Exmoor National Park — marking the official return of a native
species lost for over a century.
9 female and 10 male animals were released during September at
secret locations owned by the National Trust and Exmoor National Park Authority.
The releases mark the return of an animal which was once common locally, but which
was lost due to hunting and the decline of its favoured woodland habitat.
Pine martens are a native species and a woodland
dwelling animal. The size of a small cat, they belong to the weasel or mustelid
family. Their release is the work of the Two Moors Pine Marten Project and
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. Expert assistance has
been provided by the Vincent Wildlife Trust.
The pine martens were sourced from healthy wild
populations in the Highlands of Scotland. The reintroduction of pine martens has
been licensed by both NatureScot and Natural England. Although sporadic
sightings have been reported of pine martens in Exmoor over recent years, this
reintroduction is the first to be planned and officially licensed.
The reintroduction marks the culmination of 7 years of planning
by the Two Moors Pine Marten Project working with local volunteers, stakeholders
and communities. After undergoing careful health checks in Scotland, the pine
martens were driven more than 500 miles through the night in a specially
adapted, temperature-controlled vehicle. Altogether staff undertook five carefully
planned journeys, each one bringing a small number of pine martens with them.
On arrival in Exmoor the pine martens were housed separately in
specially constructed release pens, each containing a snug den box. There they
were allowed to acclimatise quietly to their new surroundings while being
provided with fresh food and water. After 3 days the door to each pen was
opened and the pine martens were able to slip into their new wild surroundings
in a series of magical moments captured on remote video cameras.
Each pine marten has been fitted with a radio collar
allowing project staff to follow their fortunes in coming months. The lightweight
handmade leather collars are designed to drop off the animals after 6-9 months.
The release of pine martens on Exmoor follows a similar successful
reintroduction of 15 animals (8 female and 7 male) by the Two Moors Pine Marten
Project on Dartmoor in autumn 2024. In the 12 months since, the Dartmoor population
has become established with the first births of kits being recorded in July
2025.
Similar successful
releases have also taken place in recent years in the Forest of Dean, Wales and
Cumbria. The expectation is that the Dartmoor and Exmoor pine marten
populations will expand gradually in coming years, eventually merging to
re-establish a stable population in the South West of England signalling
positive steps towards returning the native species to its former range.
Pine martens are solitary animals and live at low density,
preferring to form territories in and around woodlands. They are mainly
nocturnal and are shy, avoiding contact with humans.
The return of pine martens to Exmoor was deliberately timed so
that the animals could take advantage of the local abundance of wild autumn
fruits. Pine martens have a varied diet and at this time of year will consume
wild fruits, along with hunting for prey which includes small mammals such as voles,
mice and grey squirrels.
Devon Wildlife Trust’s Tracey Hamston leads the Two Moors
Pine Marten Project. Tracey said:
“It’s wonderful to see pine martens living wild in Exmoor again.
These animals were once a key part of our thriving woodland wildlife, so it’s
good that they are back where they belong. It’s a positive sign that nature can
be restored. Our woodlands and their wildlife will benefit from their
presence.”
Stuart McLeod is Director of England -
London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Stuart said:
“This is a landmark moment — witnessing
the return of pine martens to Exmoor after more than a century is truly
inspiring. Thanks to National Lottery players, we’re helping to restore a
native species to the landscapes it once called home. Reintroducing lost
wildlife is essential for building resilient ecosystems and driving nature’s
recovery. This project is a powerful example of what can be achieved when
organisations unite with a shared vision.”
Ali Hawkins is Exmoor National Park
Authority’s Senior Ecologist. Ali said: “It’s just such a good news story to see
pine martens back on Exmoor. Historical
evidence shows that they used to be part of our woodland landscape and
reintroducing them will help bring back a natural balance that will benefit
many species”.
Simon Larkins is
National Trust General Manager, Somerset Coast & Countryside.
Simon said:
“The return of pine martens to Exmoor is a truly special
moment. When we first began exploring the idea of their reintroduction in 2018,
we hoped that one day these much-loved animals would find their way home. As a
keystone species, pine martens play a vital role in woodland ecosystems,
helping to create healthier habitats and supporting wider biodiversity. Their
presence is a powerful reminder that when we give nature space and opportunity,
recovery can happen.”
Lucie Bennett, Pine Martens Engagement Officer at Somerset
Wildlife at Somerset
Wildlife Trust. Lucie said:
"We're proud and
delighted to see pine martens returning to Somerset and to have played a part
in the national recovery strategy as this animal re-establishes its former
range. At a time when wildlife needs us more than ever and action is much needed,
it's fantastic to see recovery milestones met, like the return of this
important mammal in functioning British woodlands. We look forward to
monitoring the progression of the Exmoor animals, supporting woodland wildlife
and local communities as the pine martens move and expand their range."
Abigail Parravani is Forestry
England Forest Planner. Abigail said:
“This
release is a thrilling moment for Exmoor and a watershed moment for the pine
marten in the South West. It’s so exciting to support a project that is helping
nature recovery by bringing back a native species and we can’t wait to see this
population establishing in the landscape.”
Jack Hunt is Woodland Trust’s Assistant Site Manager (Devon).
Jack said:
"Following
the extensive surveying, planning and preparation that was required for the
Dartmoor release, it has been an amazing experience tracking the pine martens
and getting to know them over the course of their first year here in Devon.
Seeing the kits on camera was a huge highlight. The Exmoor release is a chance
to build on what we've learnt over the last year and establish a stable and
healthy population of this missing species in the South West."
The Exmoor reintroduction comes after a huge concerted effort
by the Two Moors Pine Marten Project and its local volunteers.
Key tasks have included:
surveying dozens of sites to
determine where best to release pine martens;
working with landowners, commercial
shoot owners and farmers;
constructing release pens,
monitoring the new arrivals and supplying them with food and water.
As well as continuing to track the progress of pine martens
released on Exmoor and Dartmoor, the Two Moors Pine Marten Project’s aim is to
engage hundreds of people from a wide range of communities across the South
West over the next two years. Opportunities to get involved with the project include:
Chances for people of all ages and backgrounds
to become citizen scientists and nature spotters – monitoring pine marten
behaviour and other woodland wildlife.
Woodland-themed, nature-based activities and
events in communities local to pine marten release sites.
Small grants for community-based projects that
will help nurture local woodland wildlife.
A free digital download pack focussed on pine
martens and woodlands, containing wildlife spotter sheets, self-guided
discovery trails and craft activities.
Advice
to woodland owners on how to manage their woodland to support a range of
wildlife which will include enhancing habitat for pine martens.
-------------
Pine marten - Photo credit Terry Whittaker 2020Vision
Anyone interested in finding out more about pine martens and the Two Moors Pine Marten Project are encouraged to go to: www.twomoorspinemartens.org
Exclusive footage shows first pine marten kits born to animals reintroduced in Devon by pioneering project
Conservationists
are celebrating the first births of pine martens to a pioneering
reintroduction project which has returned the species to the South West
of England after a 100-year absence.
15
pine martens, including 8 females and 7 males, were released at
undisclosed Dartmoor locations in autumn 2024. Now camera trap footage
has revealed the
first glimpses of kits, recorded at a secret site in June this year.
Two
films show the youngsters as they explore their new home. In one clip
we see three kits in a Dartmoor woodland chasing each other through
foliage and
up a bank before disappearing from sight. A second film shows the same
mother with two kits as they scamper along a fallen tree close to a
fast-running Dartmoor stream.
The
kits are among the first to be born wild in Devon for more than a
century. The small cat-sized animals were once common in the South West
but fell victim
to the loss of their favoured woodland habitat and to human
persecution.
The
animals have been brought back to the region thanks to the work of the
Two Moors Pine Marten Project which is 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. The project has been made
possible with the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund
thanks to National Lottery players,
and with the expert help of the Vincent Wildlife Trust.
Devon Wildlife Trust's Tracey Hamston leads the Two Moors Pine Marten Project. She said:
"When
our volunteers discovered the footage of pine marten kits on one of our
trail cameras we were ecstatic. This is a historic moment for
the return of a native animal and for the future of the South West's
woodlands. To have breeding pine martens back after a century's absence
signals a positive step in nature's recovery. It's also testament to the
many hours work undertaken by the project
partnership and dozens of local volunteers."
Kerry White, Dartmoor National Park Authority Ecologist, said:
"Dartmoor National Park Authority is thrilled to have been involved in such a pioneering project, which
has brought together multiple organisations
to help return pine martens to the South West. We're delighted to see
footage of the kits exploring their new environment and look forward to
the positive impact their presence will have
on helping to re-address ecological balance in our woodlands."
Stuart McLeod, Director – London & South, The National Lottery Heritage Fund,
said:
"The
birth of the first pine marten kits in Devon in over a century marks a
truly historic moment for wildlife recovery. Thanks
to National Lottery players, we've been proud to support this
pioneering project to bring this elusive and charismatic species back to
our woodlands. It has brought together many organisations with one goal
in mind, to help nature's recovery. This milestone
is a testament to the power of long-term conservation, and the
resilience of nature when given the chance to thrive."
Jack Hunt, Woodland Trust Assistant Site Manager – Devon, said:
"Staff
and volunteers have been checking camera traps for several
months and over the past few weeks have been eagerly anticipating
seeing kits. This sighting is wonderful news. The work over many years
to restore and improve the condition of our woodlands, to support other
landowners to do the same and work in partnership
on this project has culminated in the return of the pine marten born in
its natural environment in Dartmoor, the first of many and the
beginning of the return of this missing species."
Loubna Tacey, National Trust, spokesperson, said:
"The
news of the birth of the first Devon wild pine marten
kits marks a significant milestone in the return of a long-lost native
species and signals a step forward in restoring the South West's special
woodlands. It shows that these elusive animals are settling in,
thriving, and beginning to weave themselves into
the fabric of our native woodlands. This is a hopeful sign for the
long-term resilience of our natural landscapes. As a partner to this
exciting project, we are delighted to welcome pine martens back and
hopefully, we will see kits emerging in the woodlands
next spring here on Exmoor."
Forest Planner at Forestry England, Abigail Parravani, said:
"Forestry
England has previously collaborated on successful pine marten releases,
so we know that the birth of the first kits following reintroduction
is always an exciting milestone for species recovery. I'm looking
forward to watching the Two Moors Pine Marten Project go from strength
to strength with the next planned releases on Exmoor this year."
"After
the years of research, planning and hard work from the project team to
deliver a successful
translocation, to now see the next generation of pine martens in the
South West is simply fantastic. What a beautiful sight to see healthy
kits moving through the woodlands of Dartmoor that they once again call
home. These kits will grow up to do wonderful
things as a part of our woodland ecosystem and mark a special moment in
history for nature recovery."
Evidence
that the Dartmoor released pine martens are now breeding follows months
of work by the Two Moors Pine Marten Project partnership
and its dedicated local volunteers. Since their release in September
2024 the team has spent hundreds of hours tracking the movements of the
15 pine martens, installing den boxes for them, and checking camera
traps to learn more about their whereabouts and
behaviour.
Female
pine martens usually give birth to 2 or 3 kits in spring. Youngsters
spend their first 7-8 weeks hidden in their dens before emerging
in early summer. They then stay with their mothers through autumn and
into winter, before becoming fully independent the following spring.
The
project's experts anticipate that the South West's population should
now grow gradually over coming years. Pine martens live at low
density and avoid human contact. Their nocturnal habits and elusive
nature mean sightings are likely to be rare.
However,
the Two Moors Pine Marten Project is keen to hear from anyone who does
come across one of the beautiful animals in Devon. People
can get in touch with their sightings via its website www.twomoorspinemartens.org
The
project is now preparing for a further release of animals in autumn
2025. The pine martens are to be sourced under licence from NatureScot
from healthy wild populations in Scotland. After rigorous health checks
by vets, the animals (likely to number around 20 in total) will be
released with landowner permissions at secret locations on Exmoor.
In
recent months the project team has been holding a series of
face-to-face and public meetings with dozens of local stakeholders,
explaining
about the releases and the part the native species will play in healthy
woodlands.
Two Moors Pine Marten Project Lead, Tracey Hamston said:
"We're
looking to build on the success of last year's releases of pine martens
on Dartmoor. Exmoor's woodlands are well-suited
to the animals. Their arrival in early autumn will coincide with the
local natural harvest of wild berries – food which pine martens love. In
a year's time we would hope to see the first kits appearing on Exmoor."
Anyone interested in finding out more about pine martens and the Two Moors Pine Marten Project should go to:
www.twomoorspinemartens.org
Pine Marten Kits. The above photos copyright Mark Hamblin2020VISION (All Rights Reserved)
Two Moors Pine Marten Project:
Devon Pine Marten kits video on YouTube- CLICK HERE
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About the National Lottery Heritage Fund
Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. That's why as the largest funder for the UK's heritage we are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past. Over the next 10 years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities.
About Pine Martens Bounce Back: The Two Moors Pine Marten Project
Pine Martens Bounce Back: The Two Moors Pine Marten Project is reintroducing critically endangered pine martens to the South West of England, helping to restore natural balance to our much-loved woodlands and bringing back these fascinating wild creatures to the landscapes where they once thrived. The project also aims to help thousands of people to participate in activities which bring not only help to bring pine martens back, but which restore woodlands, and which grow conservation skills and confidence.
The project is led by Devon Wildlife Trust and is a partnership between seven conservation organisations: Dartmoor National Park Authority, Devon Wildlife Trust, Exmoor National Park Authority, Forestry England, National Trust, Somerset Wildlife Trust and Woodland Trust. Young Devon and Space, Devon based youth charities, are supporting the project to involve young people from a range of backgrounds in project objectives. The project is made possible with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and with thanks to the National Lottery players. We are also grateful for the support of a number of generous donors and for the expert advice and guidance of Vincent Wildlife Trust.
A
pioneering conservation project has brought back pine martens to the
South West of England for the first time in more than a century.*
15 pine martens
including 8 adult females and 7 adult males
were released at secret locations on Dartmoor during September in what
conservationists are hailing as a historic step in the restoration of
the region's woodlands and their wildlife.
The
return of pine martens is the work of The Two Moors Pine Marten Project
and comes after two years of meticulous planning and consultation with
local communities.
The
project is being led by the charity Devon Wildlife Trust and is a
partnership between seven conservation organisations: Dartmoor National
Park Authority, Devon Wildlife Trust,
Exmoor National Park Authority, Forestry England, National Trust,
Somerset Wildlife Trust and Woodland Trust. It has been made possible
with the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The
release of pine martens into Dartmoor was the first phase in the
project's plans to establish a resident population of the cat-sized,
tree-climbing members of the weasel family.
Pine martens went extinct in the South West of England more than 100
years ago after centuries of loss to their favoured woodland living
places, and as the result of hunting and trapping. The project's second
phase will see a similar release of the animals
in Exmoor during 2025.
Dartmoor's
new pine martens have been sourced from healthy wild populations in
Scotland using the expert assistance of The Vincent Wildlife Trust. In a
carefully planned operation, under licenses
from Natural England and NatureScot, the animals were health checked by
vets before being driven to their new homes in Devon.
Arriving
under the cover of darkness each animal was placed in its own specially
constructed pen at woodland locations which were chosen for their
seclusion. There they were fed and watered by
a team of local volunteers. After three days of quiet acclimatisation,
the pen doors were opened, and the pine martens were allowed to make
their first historic steps into the wild.
The
project is now carefully monitoring the progress of the 15 pine
martens. Each animal was fitted with a radio collar to allow their
movements to be tracked. The collars were fitted under vet
supervision, are lightweight and have been specially designed so as not
to restrict the movement of the animals. The collars will drop off the
animals after six to nine months of use.
Pine
martens are mostly solitary creatures and live at low densities. The
expectation of the project is that the new animals will disperse to
establish their own territories. The population is
expected to grow gradually over the coming years.
Ed Parr Ferris is Conservation Manager at Devon Wildlife Trust. Ed said:
"Pine
martens are stunning members of the weasel family, about two foot long,
weighing just 1.5
kilos, with their creamy-orange bibs contrasting against their smooth
chocolate-coloured coat. They are amazingly well adapted for life in the
woodland night, with strong claws, lithe bodies, fantastic hearing and
even reversible rear ankles helping them to
run down trees. These rare mammals need our help to return to their
former homes in the South West, but we also need their help to bring
back the natural balance of wildlife to our woodlands."
Emma Williams is Species Recovery Higher Officer at Natural England. Emma said:
"Natural
England has been working closely with the Two Moors Pine Marten project
to contribute to
the recovery of pine marten in England. This project has shown a great
example of best practice, and the reintroduction of pine marten will
have a positive impact on Dartmoor's biodiversity".
Ali Hawkins is Exmoor National Park Authority's Senior Ecologist. Ali said:
"We
are delighted to see the first release of pine martens back into the
South West on Dartmoor. It's been an amazing partnership effort over a
number of years to get to this point and we
are excited that this will pave the way for a release on Exmoor next
year. We have historical evidence that these amazing animals used to be
in our Exmoor woodlands and their presence will help to re-address the
ecological balance and drive forward nature
recovery".
Abigail Parravani is Forestry England forest planner. Abigail said:
"Pine
martens are a priority species for Forestry England and I'm delighted
we can bring our experience helping their populations recover across
England to the ground-breaking
Two Moors Pine Marten Project.
Restoring a native predator doesn't only conserve the species itself
but helps to restore entire woodland ecosystems by reinstating natural
processes that humans have
interrupted. I'm excited to watch the project unfold and see the
positive impact of pine martens on the health and resilience of these
important landscapes."
Alex Raeder is South West Landscapes Partnership manager for the National Trust. Alex said:
"The
National Trust has been delighted to be involved in this reintroduction
project from the outset and it's wonderful to see the ambition of
returning
this beautiful animal to Dartmoor being realised. The whole project has
been a really great example of many organisations and individuals
working together to restore nature across a whole landscape which puts
us in a good place for further collaboration on
natures recovery in the National Park and elsewhere. We are looking
forward to welcoming the return of the pine marten to Dartmoor which a
significant step in restoring the ecology of these very special oak
woodlands so characteristic of the ancient landscapes
of the South West."
Eleanor Lewis is Outreach Manager for the Woodland Trust in the South West. Eleanor said:
"The
whole project has been an amazing team effort and the Woodland Trust
are delighted to have played a part in this momentous moment. The pens
the animals were released into were built using
timber which resulted from the restoration of ancient woodlands. It was
milled on site by local contractors who then worked alongside our
wonderful volunteers to build the pens. The volunteer's focus will now
turn to monitoring as the pine martens settle into
their new woodland environment. Historically, the loss of woodland
resulted in the decline of pine martens, so our focus will be upon
working with landowners and providing advice and support on how
woodlands can be managed and created to enhance the conditions
for pine martens and ensuring they can play their vital role in our
ecosystem that has been missing for so long."
The
low numbers of pine martens reintroduced, their shy nature and
nocturnal lifestyles mean that few people are likely to encounter the
animals. However, The Two Moors Pine Marten
Project's aim is to engage hundreds of people from a wide range of
communities across the South West over the next three years. These
opportunities include:
Chances
for people of all ages and backgrounds to become citizen scientists and
nature spotters – monitoring pine marten behaviour and other woodland
wildlife
Woodland-themed, nature-based activities and events in communities local to pine marten release sites
Small grants for community-based projects that will help nurture local woodland wildlife
A
free digital download pack focussed on pine martens and woodlands,
containing wildlife spotter sheets, self-guided discovery trails and
craft activities
Advice
to woodland owners in how to manage their woodland to support a range
of wildlife which will include enhancing the habitat for pine martens
The
project also has a strong focus on creating pathways for young people
to get involved in conservation through volunteering and traineeships.
Anyone interested in finding out more about pine martens and the Two Moors Pine Marten Project should go to:
www.twomoorspinemartens.org
Pine Marten - Photo copyright Terry Whittaker (All Rights Reserved)
Pine Marten - Photo copyright Terry Whittaker (All Rights Reserved)
DEVON WILDLIFE TRUST MEDIA RELEASE
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The
release of pine martens under the Two Moors Pine Marten Project is the
first
officially sanctioned release of the animal to the South West
peninsular. In recent years there have been isolated reports of pine
martens in the region, but the origin and numbers of these animals is
unknown. Officially sanctioned releases of pine martens
took place in mid-Wales in 2015 and the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
in 2019. Both have produced successful, established populations.
An innovative project which uses digital collars and virtual fencing to direct the movements of cows is now being used in North Devon.
The approach is being piloted in the region by Devon Wildlife Trust’s Northern Devon Natural Solutions project, which works with the agricultural community in the region to improve river quality and local nature diversity. It has been supported by the Naturesave Trust, which is funded by ethical insurance broker Naturesave Insurance.
The ‘Nofence’ system uses GPS technology and a phone-controlled app to set a digital land boundary to control cattle movements.
Cows wear a collar which, when they approach the digital boundary triggers, a low-pitched sound. This sound rises as they proceed and if the cow continues to try and move through the invisible boundary the collar emits an electrical pulse warning it to move back.
The pulse is similar to that used in the electric fencing commonly seen in the countryside. Before deployment the cattle are ‘trained’ in recognising the sound and learn to turn around before the electrical trigger. There is a maximum of three electric pulses after which the pulses cease and a text is sent to the farmer letting them know that the cow has moved through the invisible ‘barrier’.
The collars have been deployed in North Devon and ultimately the goal is to bring a more wildlife-rich Culm grassland – that has been unusable for grazing until the collars became an option – back into positive management. Culm grasslands support populations of rare marsh fritillary butterflies and the use of these collars will allow for targeted grazing that should increase their habitat size, building in a resilience in their population to external factors relating to the climate change and the biodiversity crises.
Wildlife sites such as these with good ranges of wildflowers, insects, birds and small mammals are easily lost because of a lack of suitable grazing livestock. Sites can quickly be overtaken by the growth of grasses, brambles and other scrub plants if cattle aren’t on hand to keep them in check.
Now the Northern Devon Natural Solutions team is looking to expand the Nofence approach to other suitable spots in North Devon. The system requires none of the traditional infrastructure of fences, fence posts and gates. This makes it ideally suited to places such as moorlands or woodlands where traditional fencing methods are either not allowed, not effective or cannot be economically justified.
Ewan Wallis is Northern Devon Natural Solutions project team manager. Ewan said:
“The collars have proven to be a very effective tool for bringing marginal land back into positive management for wildlife – whilst also providing the farmer with peace of mind as they can see where there are animals are. Lessons have been learned on the best way to train the cattle – an essential process for them to be used effectively – and I am very interested to see if we kind find other sites where fenceless grazing collars can be deployed. The purchase of these collars was only possible thanks to funding from both the Naturesave Trust and the Environment Agency.”
People with sites in northern Devon within the project area who want to discuss using the collars with their cattle are being encouraged to get in touch with Devon Wildlife Trust’s Ewan Wallis on ewallis@devonwildlifetrust.org to explore options.
Cattle in North Devon using the Nofence collars Photo credit Devon Wildlife Trust
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Media Release from Devon Wildlife Trust
Devon Wildlife Trust is a leading environmental charity, with more than 36,000 members. The charity manages 60 nature reserves 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 £5million 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
.jpg "First pine martens released in Exmoor National Park - Photo copyright Terry Whittaker 2020Vision (All Rights Reserved)")
.jpg "pine martens return to the South West of England. Photo copyright Terry Whittaker (All Rights Reserved)")
.jpg "pine martens return to the South West of England. Photo copyright Terry Whittaker (All Rights Reserved)")
