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Past wildlife

 

I have a long tail that is thick and bushy in the winter. I have a pale yellow bib, with a shape unique to me, like your fingerprints. The rest of my fur coat is brown. I have long legs and a slim body. When I am fully grown I am about the size of a pet cat, and one of my favourite things to do is to climb trees.

 

Can you guess what animal I am? 

 

 

 

Pine marten (C) Terry Whittaker

Terry Whittaker/2020 Vision

Pine marten_Mark Hamblin

Pine marten (Martes martes) youngster in woodland, Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve, Wester Ross, Scotland, UK - Mark Hamblin/2020VISION

Pine marten (C) Terry Whittaker

Terry Whittaker

 

I'm a pine marten!

 

Pine marten (c) Terry Whittaker

Pine marten (c) Terry Whittaker

During the Mesolithic era, 8,000 years ago, pine martens were the UK's second most common carnivore, and you would have found them here on Robinswood Hill.

Sadly, as humans removed woodland habitats that pine martens called home and hunted them, they went extinct across much of the UK. By 1915, hardly any were left in England and Wales, with most of the population restricted to the Scottish Highlands.

In 2019 18 pine martens were moved from healthy populations in Scotland to the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire. The population in the Forest is now slowly growing, with a few new babies (known as kits) being born each year. Recently, more pine martens have been moved from Scotland to join the population in the Forest and help increase numbers. 

You can find out more about Project Pine Marten here which has been run by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, in partnership with the Vincent Wildlife Trust, Forestry England, Forest Research, Forest Holidays and the Woodland Trust,

If you've enjoyed the trail, why not come along to one of our events.

Or take action to help wildlife around your own home or community.Â