Field Notes: Pine marten sighted at Thirlmere
Thirlmere Resilience Partnership Officer Isaac Johnston reports on the first pine marten seen locally since the mid '80s.
This January marked the first confirmed sighting of a pine marten at Thirlmere in 40 years.
Pine marten can be individually identified by their unique bib markings and this individual - Philomena - was caught on camera when she investigated a pole filled with peanut butter, fish sauce and oily fish set up by the University of Cumbria in order to attract pine marten like her.
Philomena was part of a reintroduction project that took place in Cumbria late last year. She was one of around 14 individuals released under licence. Cameras across the county have revealed these animals are travelling huge distances from the release site.
Thirlmere has lots of suitable habitat for pine marten and we we hope one day to have a resident population here once again. With 15 more pine marten to be introduced to the area this autumn, we are well on our way to a genetically viable population of pine marten in Cumbria.
The John Muir Trust is part of the Thirlmere resilience project - a partnership between with United Utilities, Natural England and Cumbria Wildlife Trust, to manage land around Thirlmere reservoir - near Helvellyn in the Lake District. Our aim is to create a resilient water catchment to supply the water needed by people, while providing a home for native biodiversity like pine marten.
- Find out more about our work at Thirlmere and get involved in a volunteer day.
