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

Kits caught on camera: pine marten project celebrates arrival of first young

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."

Lucie Bennett, Somerset Wildlife Trust's Pine Martens Engagement Officer (Exmoor), said:

"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.

Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLotteryHeritageFund  www.heritagefund.org.uk.

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.

For more information about the project and its partners go to www.twomoorspinemartens.org  

Wild once more: pine martens return to the South West of England after 100-year absence > CLICK HERE

 DEVON WILDLIFE TRUST MEDIA RELEASE

Weathering the storms and Big Garden Birdwatching.

2024 blew out with weather warnings and amber alerts, howling winds, rain and snow November's named storm Bert was followed by Storm Darragh at the beginning of December and the eerie calm yesterday and today, an ominous lead into Storm Éowyn in some parts of the UK Friday and Saturday.

On the bright side, no matter what the weather the birds still came to the feeders. I will once again be joining in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 2025 so I hope they all stick around for that.

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

Attention -  its time for the Big Garden Birdwatch. Photo copyright Pat Adams North Devon Focus

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"Join the world's largest garden wildlife survey 24th-26th January 2025" - Find out more at  RSPB

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"Met Office "Rare red weather warning as Storm Éowyn poses danger to life". 

Red Weather Warnings have been issued with Storm Éowyn forecast to bring disruptive winds as well as heavy rain and snow for some on Friday."
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Tap here to find out if your area is affected

Keep up to date at Met Office.gov.uk

Sea slugs and seaweeds make headlines in The Wildlife Trusts' 2024 marine review

Innovation, research and a mammoth volunteering effort helped conservationists learn more about wildlife in UK seas, reveals The Wildlife Trusts' 2024 marine review  published on the 19th December.

Seaside volunteers clocked over 46,000 thousand hours surveying shorelines and recording wildlife. In Devon, this amazing contribution amounted to more than 700 hours.

Discoveries reported in the annual round-up include climate-indicator sea slugs and seaweeds, plus sightings of conger eels and humpback whales.

The Wildlife Trusts – and 80% of the British public – want to see bottom trawling banned in protected areas, and measures to ensure that offshore developments are nature positive. The charities say that strengthening protection of the UK's blue carbon can help to achieve climate and biodiversity goals.

Coral Smith is Devon Wildlife Trust's Marine Awareness Officer. Based at the charity's popular Wembury Marine Centre, near Plymouth, Coral said:

"It has been another fantastic year for marine wildlife sightings in Devon. Out to sea we've had dolphins and whales and spectacular displays from Bluefin tuna, as they continue their comeback in local waters. Closer to shore it's been a good year for Cuttlefish, Spider crabs and all kinds of weird and wonderful invertebrates including Devon's first record of a Rainbow sea slug, Babakina anadonis. The appearance of this beautiful nudibranch is, however, a warning that our waters are warming!

It's also been a tough year for marine wildlife in many ways. We've seen high numbers of Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) recorded along both the north and south coastlines of Devon during the surveys conducted by our volunteers. Our volunteer Shoresearch team also continue to find disturbing quantities of ocean plastics, bycatch [dead dolphins, seals, whales and sharks accidentally caught in fishing nets] and 'ghost' [abandoned] fishing gear. Add to this are the continued and well-publicised water quality concerns affecting many of our estuaries and bathing waters.

What is certain though, is that we wouldn't know any of this information without our dedicated network of marine volunteers: passionate people, who devoted more than 700 hours of their time surveying, monitoring and engaging others with our incredible marine environment. A huge thanks must go them."

Ruth Williams, head of marine conservation at The Wildlife Trusts, says:

"People are central to nature recovery and made huge contributions to our knowledge of UK seas this year. Wildlife surveys and monitoring have led to incredible discoveries, including new species on UK shores. Success stories demonstrate the enormous value of marine conservation and why robust protection is critical for nature recovery.

"As the first country to map all its blue carbon habitats, the UK has a unique position to champion better protection for seabed habitats. They are the unsung heroes in our fight against climate change. We need policies that stop damaging activities in protected areas, plus continued support for innovation, monitoring and work to improve coastal habitats."

Discoveries of climate change indicators and non-native species were made through The Wildlife Trusts' national intertidal survey programme, Shoresearch, and volunteering days. Highlights from the South West's waters include:

• First records of a rainbow sea slug in Devon.
• First records of the non-native kelp seaweed, wakame at Wembury, Devon.
• Pom-pom weed – a seaweed native to Asia that forms red tangled 'pompoms' – was found across Devon. It could displace macro-invertebrates, like barnacles.
•  Hundreds of mauve jellyfish washed up in Cornwall and on the Isles of Scilly. They are normally found in warmers waters such as the Mediterrranean.
• Very dense aggregation of invasive pacific oyster at Hope Cove in Devon. They can alter ecosystems through reef formation and displacing native oysters.

Successful research projects helped conservationists learn more about UK marine habitats and wildlife. The Wildlife Trusts were one of the charities behind The Blue Carbon Mapping Project, which saw the UK become the first country to estimate the carbon stored in its seabed habitats. The report reinforced calls to ban bottom-trawling in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), as 43% of the UK's blue carbon is in these zones.

Monitoring of marine habitats demonstrate how wildlife can recover when areas are properly protected. Highlights include:

• A spiny lobster was found in Wembury Bay, Devon, for the first time in living memory. They are returning following excessive fishing in the 60s and 70s.
• St Piran's hermit crabs were recorded in great numbers on the south coast. They were wiped out by the Torrey Canyon Spill of 1967.
• Giant mussel beds, greater diversity of fish and increased numbers of lobster were reported in Sussex – three years after a byelaw was passed to protect 300km² of seabed from trawling. A tope shark and European eel were also found among 81 different marine species recorded.

New conservation projects include large-scale initiatives in Cornwall and Essex to link conservation efforts on land with protecting important marine and coastal habitats. Other conservation highlights include:

• Volunteers measured a snakelocks anemone and coral weed bed the size of 5 Olympic swimming pools in Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset – maybe unique in UK seas.
• Volunteers gathered by hand over 3,000kg of rubbish from beaches – the weight of three baby humpback whales – in clean-ups organised by Wildlife Trusts.
• Alderney's northern gannets – 1% of the global population – became one of the first in the world to be surveyed with drones and Artificial Intelligence.

Rainbow Sea Slug, Wembury. Photo copyright Paul Naylor (All Rights Reserved)

Pacific Oysters, Devon. Photo copyright Grahame Smith (All Rights Reserved)

 

Wakame, Devon. Photo copyright Coral Smith (All Rights Reserved)

 

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The Wildlife Trusts' marine review 2024 can be read here.

People wishing to volunteer to help Devon Wildlife Trust in its work for the marine environment can visit https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/wilder-seas or email marine@devonwildlifetrust.org"

Wild once more: pine martens return to the South West of England after 100-year absence

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.