Pine Marten - Errington Woods

[Ian Bond]

Sorry to hijack with a mammal item again but I know a number of you frequent Errington Woods so might be interested in the report below that the Vincent Wildlife Trust forwarded to me.  Its accepted by most that there is the odd Pine Marten on the North York Moors but it isn't know whether these are old English pine martens or stem from an introduction.  The only way to find out is DNA hence droppings are even more important than sightings.  If any of you do fancy picking up large mustelid droppings they need to go in a clean bag, eg food bag and be picked up with clean sticks, not fingers, to avoid cross contamination, then just post them to the VWT. 

I thought I'd let you know of a recent good quality pine marten sighting in your neck of the woods. I've just spoken to a lady who saw an animal last Sunday (20th) evening in Errington Woods at NZ635204. She saw it jump from the ground onto a fallen branch, run along the branch then disappear into the undergrowth. Her description of the animal was very accurate and matched that of a pine marten.

Given the good weather this week, the survival rate of scats will be pretty good and it is very likely that any scats left by the pine marten will still be there now. So if anyone is planning to be out in the woods enjoying the glorious sunshine this weekend, please do take your scat collecting kit and keen an eye out for any pine marten scats.

Another pine marten record for North Yorkshire... let's hope they keep coming!

Best wishes

Lizzie


Lizzie Croose

The Vincent Wildlife Trust

3&4 Bronsil Courtyard

Eastnor

Ledbury

Herefordshire

HR8 1EP

tel. 0044 (0)1531 636441

fax 0044 (0)1531 636442

web: www.vwt.org.uk / www.pinemarten.info