©Mark Hamblin/2020VISION

Pine marten

Largely confined to the north of the UK, the rare pine marten is nocturnal and very hard to spot. Reintroductions are helping it make a comeback.

Scientific name

Martes martes

When to see

January to December

Species information

Statistics

Length: 46-54cm
Tail: 18-27cm
Weight: 0.9-2.2kg
Average lifespan: up to 8 years

Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework.

Habitats

Woodland

About

An elusive mustelid, the pine marten was once common across the UK. It declined due to persecution and habitat loss. Today it is mostly found in the north of the UK, particularly Scotland and Northern Ireland, though conservation work is helping it make a comeback in other areas.

The pine marten prefers woodland habitats, climbing very well and living in tree holes, old squirrel dreys or even old bird nests. It feeds on small rodents, birds, eggs, insects and fruits. During the summer mating season, they make shrill, cat-like calls. The following spring, the female will have a litter of between one to five kits, which are independent by autumn.

How to identify

Mostly chestnut-brown in colour, the pine marten has a characteristic pale yellow 'bib' on its chin and throat. Each pine marten has a uniquely shaped bib, allowing individuals to be identified by the pattern. The pine marten also has a long, bushy tail.

Distribution

Mainly found in Scotland, particularly in the Highlands, and Ireland. The population in Northern Ireland has shown a recovery in recent decades, with pine martens now found throughout all six counties. Populations in northern England and Wales are fragmented and small but are being bolstered by conservation work, including a reintroduction in Cumbria. They have also been successfully reintroduced to the Forest of Dean and more recently in Dartmoor and Exmoor.

In our area

Considered to be extinct in Shropshire for over 100 years, pine martens made a surprise reappearance here in 2015. We have since been running a project to monitor the population using camera traps, which have recorded at least 10 individuals. But they still need our help- woodland habitat is very fragmented in Shropshire and much of our native woodland has been cut down and replanted so recently that trees here are not old enough to develop hollows for pine martens to use as dens. We aim to work with landowners to plant more trees and leave standing dead trees on their land; and also to offer the martens more places to make safe dens by installing den boxes.

Did you know?

Bilberries, rowan berries and blackberries make up much of a pine marten's summer diet, often resulting in its 'scats' (droppings) turning blue or red in colour. Pine martens regularly leave their scats on forest trails or in prominent places like boulders to mark their territories. When they are fresh, scats may have a slimy appearance due to mucous binding them together. They may contain fur, feathers, bones or seeds.