Mark Hamblin
Congratulations you found Patrick!
Patrick is a pine marten, an animal the size of a small cat belonging to the same family as otters and weasels. Once widespread across the UK, pine martens are an important animal that has been missing from our woodlands for 150 years.
The Two Moors Pine Marten project has recently reintroduced pine martens from Scotland to Dartmoor and Exmoor. Each pine marten is released wearing a temporary collar that lets us track them as they explore their new home in the South West.
You must be an expert tracker! You found Patrick, but what has he been doing since his release?
Can you hear the birds? There are a couple of different birds all making their alarm calls.
Here the pine marten is seen as a threat so the birds make noise to warn other birds that a pine marten is nearby.
Pine martens do occasionally eat birds, but this one looks like its hunting for seeds on the floor. This is less effort than chasing a bird.
Win your own pine marten cuddly toy!
Enter our competition to be in with a chance to take home your very own pine marten cuddly toy.
Did you know, each pine marten has a unique bib pattern on their chest — just like a fingerprint!
Our field officer, Ali, has created a special “Bibliography” of all the pine martens across Dartmoor and Exmoor. By matching these bib patterns in trail camera footage, we can identify each individual, monitor their welfare, and learn where they’re living.
Find more Travelling Pine Martens
The Travelling Pine Martens will be available to meet 3rd-19th April. Opening days and times vary for each location, please check before travelling:
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Exmoor Locations
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Dartmoor Locations
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Credit Terry Whittaker/2020VISION
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Pine Martens Bounce Back: The Two Moors Pine Marten Project aims to restore healthy populations of pine martens to the South West of England. It is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund and with thanks to National Lottery players.
The project is led by Devon Wildlife Trust and is a partnership between seven conservation organisations: Dartmoor National Park Authority, Devon Wildlife Trust, Exmoor National Park Authority, Forestry England, National Trust, Somerset Wildlife Trust and Woodland Trust.
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