The pine marten (Martes martes) had become extinct throughout much of Britain by the early part of the 20th century. Small populations survived in Wales and the Marches and in areas of northern England, but relatively strong populations were still to be found only in some parts of the Scottish Highlands where persecution pressures were less.
Recent studies show that the pine marten in Scotland appears to be making a good recovery. South of the Scottish border the situation appears to be different and the recovery taking place in Scotland has not yet occurred in those parts of England and Wales where pine martens survived.
Pine marten in winter coat
Since the mid-1990s The Vincent Wildlife Trust has been gathering and evaluating reported sightings of pine martens from England and Wales. This work suggests that the species still survives in certain core areas of northern England and parts of Wales. However, the animals are apparently rare and elusive, and evidence of their presence is very hard to find.
The surveys and studies which have so far been conducted pose a number of important questions, including what is the status and distribution of the pine marten in England and Wales and why has its recovery not yet occurred outside Scotland?
The VWT is engaged in long-term studies to address these and other questions.
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