Chris Monk
Well-known member
29 AUGUST 2006 FORESTRY COMMISSION NEWS RELEASE No: 8738
PINE MARTENS OFFERED CREATURE COMFORTS AT SOUTH LAKES FOREST :clap:
WILDLIFE rangers and the Vincent Wildlife Trust are hoping that the elusive pine marten will break cover in South Cumbria’s Grizedale Forest by creating a series of treetop hideaways.
Until recently the ferret-like animal was thought to be extinct in England, but regular sightings reported to the Vincent Wildlife Trust prompted the Forestry Commission Wildlife Team to instigate a search to confirm the presence of pine martens at Grizedale.
Twenty specially designed pine marten boxes are being installed in the forest canopy to make up for a lack of natural breeding sites, which may be one of reasons why it has declined across the country.
The boxes are being sited at various locations in over 2000 hectares of Cumbria’s largest forest in an effort to offer the creature a tempting retreat.
Mike Thornley, Wildlife Ranger for the Forestry Commission, says: “This is a great opportunity for us to determine once and for all whether the pine marten is still breeding in South Cumbria.”
“In Europe, pine martens often live in holes made by black woodpeckers, but many of our woods lack the natural nooks and crannies they like. So this could be our best way of tracking down the creature. "
Until the 19th century the pine marten, a tree climbing mammal similar in appearance to a ferret or stoat, but significantly larger, inhabited large areas of England, but persecution and habitat loss drove it back to its present day refuge in Scotland. It is the second rarest carnivore in Britain after the wild cat.
Dr Johnny Birks from the Vincent Wildlife Trust says: "We have really enjoyed working in partnership with the Forestry Commission on this project to detect and conserve this most elusive mammal.”
“Installing these den boxes will help, but we are not expecting instant results as the pine marten is very rare in Cumbria and it may take them years to find the boxes".
Forest rangers will monitor the boxes regularly to look for signs that they have been using their new shelters. Pine martens leave scats/droppings on boxes to mark their territory, so the task won’t be too difficult.
The boxes have been designed by the Vincent Wildlife Trust and used with great success in Scotland, where the local population has grown. The boxes have two entrances and a central breeding chamber for the pine martens to explore.
Any sightings of Pine Martens can be reported to Dr Johnny Birks at the Vincent Wildlife Trust on 01531 636441, or by email to [email protected]
Ends
Notes to editors
1. Grizedale Visitor Centre and Forest Park is bordered by Lake Windermere to the east and Coniston Water to the West. The nearest centres are Hawkshead and Ambleside.
2. The Forestry Commission is the largest provider of countryside recreation in Britain with responsibility for over one million hectares (2.4 million acres) of forest, woodlands and open countryside. The North West England Forest District covers the Lake District in Cumbria, the Forest of Bowland in Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Cheshire. The forests today are managed for conservation, wildlife, landscape and recreation as well as providing a valuable source of timber.
3. Further information on wildlife in the nation's forests is also available at www.forestry.gov.uk/wildwoods
PINE MARTENS OFFERED CREATURE COMFORTS AT SOUTH LAKES FOREST :clap:
WILDLIFE rangers and the Vincent Wildlife Trust are hoping that the elusive pine marten will break cover in South Cumbria’s Grizedale Forest by creating a series of treetop hideaways.
Until recently the ferret-like animal was thought to be extinct in England, but regular sightings reported to the Vincent Wildlife Trust prompted the Forestry Commission Wildlife Team to instigate a search to confirm the presence of pine martens at Grizedale.
Twenty specially designed pine marten boxes are being installed in the forest canopy to make up for a lack of natural breeding sites, which may be one of reasons why it has declined across the country.
The boxes are being sited at various locations in over 2000 hectares of Cumbria’s largest forest in an effort to offer the creature a tempting retreat.
Mike Thornley, Wildlife Ranger for the Forestry Commission, says: “This is a great opportunity for us to determine once and for all whether the pine marten is still breeding in South Cumbria.”
“In Europe, pine martens often live in holes made by black woodpeckers, but many of our woods lack the natural nooks and crannies they like. So this could be our best way of tracking down the creature. "
Until the 19th century the pine marten, a tree climbing mammal similar in appearance to a ferret or stoat, but significantly larger, inhabited large areas of England, but persecution and habitat loss drove it back to its present day refuge in Scotland. It is the second rarest carnivore in Britain after the wild cat.
Dr Johnny Birks from the Vincent Wildlife Trust says: "We have really enjoyed working in partnership with the Forestry Commission on this project to detect and conserve this most elusive mammal.”
“Installing these den boxes will help, but we are not expecting instant results as the pine marten is very rare in Cumbria and it may take them years to find the boxes".
Forest rangers will monitor the boxes regularly to look for signs that they have been using their new shelters. Pine martens leave scats/droppings on boxes to mark their territory, so the task won’t be too difficult.
The boxes have been designed by the Vincent Wildlife Trust and used with great success in Scotland, where the local population has grown. The boxes have two entrances and a central breeding chamber for the pine martens to explore.
Any sightings of Pine Martens can be reported to Dr Johnny Birks at the Vincent Wildlife Trust on 01531 636441, or by email to [email protected]
Ends
Notes to editors
1. Grizedale Visitor Centre and Forest Park is bordered by Lake Windermere to the east and Coniston Water to the West. The nearest centres are Hawkshead and Ambleside.
2. The Forestry Commission is the largest provider of countryside recreation in Britain with responsibility for over one million hectares (2.4 million acres) of forest, woodlands and open countryside. The North West England Forest District covers the Lake District in Cumbria, the Forest of Bowland in Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Cheshire. The forests today are managed for conservation, wildlife, landscape and recreation as well as providing a valuable source of timber.
3. Further information on wildlife in the nation's forests is also available at www.forestry.gov.uk/wildwoods
