Mark Hamblin
Congratulations you found Polly!
Polly 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 Polly, but what has she been doing since her release?
Pine martens are brilliant climbers. They explore trees, scrub and rocky areas in their woodland to hunt small mammals and forage for fruits.
They like to rest and have their babies (kits) above ground. They den in tree cavities, nooks and squirrels homes which are called dreys.
If you look closely as she climbs up, you can see that she has large nipples. This confirms that she has her own kits hidden in a burrow nearby!
Win your own pine marten teddy!
Enter our competition to be in with a chance to take home your very own pine marten teddy.
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.
Exmoor locations
Heddon Valley, EX31 4PY - open 10.30am to 5pm, seven days a week
Watersmeet Tea Room, EX35 6NT - open 10.30am to 4pm Thursday to Sunday
Minehead Library, TA24 5DJ - open 9am to 5.30pm Mon, Tue & Thur, 9am to 5pm Fri and 9am to 1pm Sat
Dunster National Park Centre, TA24 6SE – open 10am to 5pm, seven days a week
Tarr Farm Inn, TA22 9PY – open 8.30am until 11pm, seven days a week
Dartmoor locations
Haytor Visitor Centre, TQ13 9XT – open 10am to 4pm
Postbridge Visitor Centre, PL20 6TH – open 10am to 4pm
Bovey Tracey Library, TQ13 9AW – open Tues 10am to 6pm, Thurs 10am to 5pm, weekends 10am to 1pm
Castle Drogo, EX6 6PB – open 10am to 5pm
Central Cafe, Moretonhampstead, TQ13 8PE – open 9am to 3pm, closed Mondays
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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