Rare pine martens spotted in Herefordshire

A couple of the creatures have been spotted in the county many years after they were wiped out by a combination of hunting and habitat loss.

Now protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act, pine martens are making a comeback in Scotland, but need a helping hand if they are to return to England and Wales in sustainable numbers.

That is why in 2019 Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust began a five-year project to re-introduce pine martens to the South West.

Pine marten by Mark Hamblin

Eighteen of the animals were initially released into the Forest of Dean and lower Wye valley, with a further 17 later.

Hopes that the martens would spread into neighbouring Herefordshire have now been realised, to the delight of conservationists.

Project manager Dr Cat McNicol said: “It is likely these animals have followed the river Wye up into Herefordshire. 

“Pine martens often move large distances following linear features like valleys and rivers.

"This movement tells us that there are some well-connected habitats in the area and the pine martens are spreading themselves out into nice high-quality habitats and establishing territories.”

Herefordshire Wildlife Trust has now begun a volunteer-run monitoring programme to see if the pine martens will make their way through any of its adjacent reserves.

This involves setting up trail cameras in likely locations and monitoring the footage. 

Although nothing has yet been caught on video, several sightings have been reported to the trust, which is now setting up more cameras around the county in the hope of gathering further evidence of the pine martens' presence.

What you need to know about pine martens

The animal prefers woodland habitats, according to Herefordshire Wildlife Trust. It climbs well and lives in tree holes, old squirrel dreys or even old bird nests.

It feeds on small rodents, birds, eggs, insects and fruit, and can even be encouraged to visit birdtables laden with peanuts and raisins.

During the summer mating season, it makes shrill, cat-like calls. The following spring the female will have a litter of between one to five kits, which are independent by autumn.

• There is more about the pine martens' return to Herefordshire in OnePlanet, the eight-page environment pull-out published monthly in the Hereford Times.

The April edition of OnePlanet is in the Hereford Times, on sale now