Cumbria Pine Martins

[AnnMercia]

CHECK OUT THIS LINK - PINE MATENS RETURN TO GRIZEDALE FOREST IN CUMBRIA

Forestry Commission - News - pine martens offered creature comforts at south lakes forest

[ChrisJB]

I remember this story. I gather Pine Martins are very scarce in the Lakes. Has anyone on here ever seen one there?

Regards, Chris

[AnnMercia]

i haven't - i don't really think any of the rangers have either. i think what happened is they saw the evidence and put up some plush pine marten housing for them - some with cameras. there is not a website unfortunately so you'd have to phone up for the latest i think..... there are plenty of grey squirrels in grizedale though, and most of the woodland is conifer so fingers crossed they will get a foot hold!

[johnmac]

Hi, saw two Pinemartins on Sun 22nd feb 2009, walking down from Thornthwaite Beacon to Hartsop, long way from Grizedale but it was definately them, saw them quite clearly, less than 100 yards away. Watched them for about 5 mins. Had no Idea at the time what they were as I had never seen anything like them before. It was only when I watched the
Monty Hall program on tv that I realised what they were. They are quite distinctive so know I was not mistaken.

[The Woodman]

The FC article doesn't say that Pine martens have returned to the Lake District only that Martens have been offered creature comforts.

johnmac, I would urge you to report your sighting to the Vincent Wildlife Trust via the link in the FC article.

[The Woodman]

For those who may be wondering what a Pine marten den box "des res" looks like



This one is about to be put up and the battens help secure it against the tree. There are two entrances at the bottom of the box on each side nearest the tree. The PM enters and climbs upwards and enters the central secure den chamber.



This is an image of a box being checked on Tuesday of this week. There are young kits in this box which were not disturbed.



Image of a fairly fresh Pine marten scat on the lid of a box indicating that it is use, probably by a female who has chosen the box as a birthing den.

All activity is carried out under licence.

[Rob_D]

Great stuff. Let's hope these efforts are rewarded and we can get English Pine Martens back on the road to recovery.

[camo]

Originally Posted by The Woodman

For those who may be wondering what a Pine marten den box "des res" looks like



This one is about to be put up and the battens help secure it against the tree. There are two entrances at the bottom of the box on each side nearest the tree. The PM enters and climbs upwards and enters the central secure den chamber.



This is an image of a box being checked on Tuesday of this week. There are young kits in this box which were not disturbed.



Image of a fairly fresh Pine marten scat on the lid of a box indicating that it is use, probably by a female who has chosen the box as a birthing den.

All activity is carried out under licence.

Great information Woodman, for clarity can we presume your photographs are in the Highlands?

Roy

[The Woodman]

Should have mentioned locations camo. The top image is of one the original ten VWT designed boxes being put up in Grizedale Forest.

The two images showing box checking and scats were taken this week in south west Scotland where there are ten boxes and there are ten more boxes in the Aberfoyle / Trossachs area. These Scottish boxes have been up and running for six years with very good uptake and usage. One of the south west Scotland boxes was fitted with a camera and a link to a screen in a visitor centre but some low life has recently stolen the camera.

The FC have added more boxes to other locations in the country where quality Marten sightings have been made.

Over two weekends in August 2008, four Cumbrian locations were surveyed for scats by volunteer teams and 124 samples were sent for DNA analysis. Unfortunately none of those turned out to be Marten scats, the great majority being fox. Experience has shown that fox and marten scats are difficult to tell apart as they both eat very similar prey species, notably field voles. One Marten scat from south Cumbria has been positively DNA'd.

The VWT are running more surveys this year and would welcome voluteers. If anyone is interested in helping them in their research, and having a grand day out, please contact them via their website.

[camo]

Hi Woodman

Thank you, I have checked out the VWT site and although it doesn't mention volutary work I will contact them and hopefully lend a hand.

Roy