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Help group search for elusive Hamsterley Forest pine marten
Aug 10, 2010
TEESDALE residents are being asked to turn wildlife detective and help search for signs of one of Northern England’s most elusive and mysterious mammals.
Experts believe that some woodlands, such as Hamsterley Forest, could be a refuge for the very rare pine marten and are asking for help to uncover more evidence of their presence.
The Vincent Wildlife Trust’s ‘Prospects for Pine Martens’ project, which is funded by Natural England, has been set up to find out more about the pine martens in the North East, through surveys and monitoring work at potential pine marten hot-spots.
To track down the elusive animals, The Vincent Wildlife Trust is embarking on a 15-day ‘Great North Pine Marten Pursuit’ in August.
The Pursuit will start in Cumbria, and then pass through Northumberland, county Durham and finish in the North York Moors.
In each area, experts will set up cameras to try and capture pine marten footage, using scent and sound lures to attract the animals. They will also be enlisting teams of volunteers to help search for pine marten droppings and erecting and checking den (nest) boxes in woodland sites.
Pine martens were once a common woodland animal, but habitat loss and historic persecution have resulted in a severe decline in this native species. Numbers in England and Wales are now at “worryingly” low levels and every sighting of pine martens in the North East helps build up a better picture of their presence in the region.
Neil Jordan, pine marten project manager with Vincent Wildlife Trust, said: “We are asking members of the public to turn wildlife detective and report any sightings of pine martens, which are still very rare.
“Sightings will be followed up by more detailed investigations to confirm the presence of the mammals, including looking for scats (droppings) and setting up special hair-tubes to collect DNA samples.”
The trust needs volunteers to come along and help to look for pine marten scats, on Saturday, August 21, at Hamsterley Forest.
No experience is necessary and all equipment will be provided.
Rhia McBain, who works as a Land Management Advisor for Natural England in Newcastle, said: “Pine martens have been here continuously since the last great Ice Age and were once common in our woods and forests. Pine martens are still very rare in England.”
For more information about the Pine Marten surveys or to report a sighting contact Lizzie Croose or Neil Jordan at The Vincent Wildlife Trust on 01531 636441 or check out www.vwt.org.uk or www.pinemarten.info.