Pine Marten (Martes martes)

Pine Marten

UK History

Pine martens used to be found all over Britain but by 1915 were extinct in almost all of England and Wales. Even in Scotland, they survived only in the far northwest.The popularity of the shooting estate in the 19th century led to their demise. Studies have shown that it was the number of gamekeepers, not woodland abundance, that accounted for the timing of the extinctions in different counties.

Ater receiving full legal protection in 1988 pine martens have re-colonised large parts of northern and western Scotland.

UK Status

Pine martens live in the Scottish Highlands and Grampian, and occasionally in southern Scotland. There may still be isolated individuals in Northumberland and North Yorkshire in England.

Global Status

Pine martens are distributed throughout most of West Europe, with local pockets in Corsica, Sicily, Sardinia and the Balearic Islands. They also occur in Central Asia.

Biology

Pine martens breed only once a year. Mating takes place in July or August, but the female's pregnancy does not begin until January. A litter of about three young is born in late March or April. The young spend at least six weeks in the den before they venture out, and remain with their mother until they are six months old. They may live to 11 years old, but the normal lifespan is 3-4 years.

The pine marten is omnivorous feeding on rodents, birds and eggs, insects, frogs, fruit and carrion. It is also one of the few predators able to catch red squirrels. However, in Scotland, pine martens do not eat significant numbers of squirrels, although they are a more important food source in other parts of their range.

Issues with humans

Humans are the pine martens greatest natural enemies. Gamekeepers used to persecute them in former times, and they were trapped for their fur. It is now a criminal offence to trap or disturb them intentionally.

The increase in pine marten numbers since around 1990 has brought them into conflict with the conservation of rare birds including capercaillie and goldeneye. Capercaillie (a rare woodland grouse) chicks are often taken by pine martens in spring. Their liking for bird’s eggs has also seen an increase in the predation of goldeneye eggs from special nest boxes erected to help increase the population of breeding goldneye in Scotland.

Future Outlook

The pine marten has few natural enemies apart from humans. It is occasionally preyed upon by golden eagles and foxes.

Despite 80 years during which woodland cover has increased and gamekeeper numbers have decreased, pine martens have not re-colonised England or Wales. Reports suggest this is because there are new environmental factors reducing rates of colonisation and because pine martens are so slow to breed.

Although there is suitable habitat in southern Britain these areas are not likely to be reached by animals dispersing naturally. Pine marten populations only spread slowly. Those re-introduced by the Forestry Commission to south west Scotland, spread only 11 km in 15 years. This indicates the necessity for assistance for re-colonisation of former areas to occur.

There is a breeding programme currently active in Kent and English Nature has identified a further five potential sites in which to continue the programme.

A survey carried out by The Peoples Trust for Endangered Speices concluded that nearly 90% of the general public were in favour of pine marten re-introductions.

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