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'.

Happy Earth Day from North Devon

We can't save the world but we can do a little to help the environment, the natural world and wildlife and we can help by planting wild flowers and making sure they are preserved in their natural environment. 'No Mow May' will hopefully help with this, our local Devon councils have done a great job over the past couple of years leaving the wildflowers to flourish by the roadsides.  

Here is a photo of a tiny little wildflower predominant (but hiding in plain sight) in hedgerows, woodlands, green lanes and roadside borders leaving mile after mile of bounty for bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

The Common Dog-violet flowers from April to June and is the food source for High-Brown Fritillary Butterfly caterpillars. I had a little look in the leaves and petals in the banks beside the path through an ancient woodland the other day but did not see any. 

According to Butterfly Conservation "The High Brown Fritillary was once widespread in England and Wales but since the 1950s has undergone a dramatic decline. It is now reduced to around 50 sites where conservationists are working to save it from extinction."

FACT CHECKING

What would we do without Google and Wikepedia

TAP HERE TO READ ALL ABOUT BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION -  

"A world where butterflies and moths thrive and can be enjoyed by everyone, forever." 

TAP HERETO VISIT WOODLAND TRUST for more information on the Common Dog Violet (Viola riviniana)

TAP HERE TO READ ALL ABOUT EARTH DAY

Pine martens are 'doing well' after South West releases

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Tracey Hamston said:

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

Planting project reaches its 250,000 tree target

A pioneering community tree project has surpassed its target of planting a quarter of a million trees in Devon.

Saving Devon’s Treescapes was established in 2021 with the aim of restoring huge losses of tree cover caused by the devastating plant disease known as ash dieback. It targeted the replacement of trees outside of woodlands – including hedges, individual trees and orchards. It’s estimated that Devon will lose more than 80% of the many thousands of ash trees, some more than 100 years old.

Saving Devon’s Treescapes was led by the charity Devon Wildlife Trust on behalf of the Devon Ash Dieback Resilience Forum and was supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, One Tree Planted, the Woodland Trust and other partners including Devon County Council, East Devon Council and FWAG South West.

Farmland, parks, gardens, school grounds and community spaces have all benefited from the free trees distributed by the project. All the young trees were native kinds including oaks, hazels, spindle and hornbeam among many other species. Many of the saplings were grown from wild seeds collected in Devon and grown in the project’s two volunteer run tree nurseries – one at Broadclyst in east Devon and the other at Meeth Quarry nature reserve in north Devon.

Saving Devon’s Treescapes Project formally closes at the end of March after the completion of its funding, but it leaves behind a legacy in the shape of more than 250,000 young trees which will grow to benefit people and wildlife for decades to come.

Devon Wildlife Trust’s Michael Rogers has managed the Saving Devon’s Treescapes Project during its last 18 months. Michael said:

“I have worked on landscape-scale conservation projects for nearly two decades, from coastal grasslands on the north coast of Scotland to the dunes of the Carmarthenshire coast in south Wales – however it’s Saving Devon’s Treescapes that has had the biggest impact on me personally and has probably had the most impact on biodiversity too!  

This project has been an incredible success, nurturing and planting more than 250,000 trees, but the real impact will be in several years when those communities and landowners who have been inspired by us to plant or grow their own trees continue the work we started here. That is why this project will have a lasting influence – one that is invaluable in our constant efforts to preserve Devon’s habitats and the species that depend on them for future generations.”

Saving Devon’s Treescapes has touched the lives of hundreds of people having worked with volunteers and communities in every corner of the county.

Alongside tree planting, the project coordinated citizen science projects including an annual Devon Bat Survey and training more than 250 people to record lichens across the countryside. These projects have proved vital in providing important data about key wildlife which have been impacted by the loss of ash trees.

The project has also been able to show off its creative side. It staged public art workshops and commissioned photographer Robert Darch to create a unique photographic record of the landscapes affected by ash dieback and their regeneration through the project (see attached image).

Florence has been volunteering with Saving Devon’s Treescapes for the more than two years. Florence described the impact of the project on her:

“Before volunteering at Saving Devon’s Treescapes’ Broadclyst tree nursery, I had little experience in the nature sector and had never planted a tree in my life. Now I intend to make it my career!

At the nursery, I’ve seen trees go from seed to sapling and have helped them throughout. The nursery has provided the opportunity for me to learn new skills, both from other volunteers and DWT staff. I’ve met like-minded people, spent time outdoors, and cemented my career ambitions: namely, to work at a tree nursery in aid of replenishing our natural world with native tree species. I have found that I truly enjoy every part of the process. Now I’m excited to continue sowing, processing, and planting to aid nature’s recovery!”

Although the Saving Devon’s Treescapes Project is now closing people can find out more about its work and that of Devon Wildlife Trust at www.devonwildlifetrust.org/saving-devons-treescapes

Florence, a volunteer at Saving Devon’s Treescapes Broadclyst tree nursery. Photo copyright Robert Darch (All Rights Reserved)

 Felling diseased ash trees at Devon Wildlife Trust’s Marsland nature reserve, north Devon. Photo copyright Robert Darch (All Rights Reserved)

SPRING IS NIGH. Birdwatching in North Devon

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.

New report finds return of wildcats to South West England is feasible

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:

 

1. 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.

 

2. 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."

The South West Wildcat’s full report is available to read on the Devon Wildlife Trust website, along with a summary report and FAQs about wildcats  www.devonwildlifetrust.org/south-west-wildcat-project

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 4^th December. To register for free go to www.devonwildlifetrust.org/events

First pine martens released in Exmoor National Park in landmark nature recovery project

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. 

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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