NE Yorkshire Pine Marten Pathways FAQs

Pine martens are adaptable omnivores, eating a varied diet depending on seasonality and local abundance. They primarily eat small mammals, small birds, and insects, but also rely on fruit, especially in autumn.

Pine martens live in woodlands, where they forage for food and seek safe, elevated dens such as tree cavities where they rest and raise their young. They sometimes forage along woodland edges, and young martens may travel across the landscape to establish their own territories.

Pine martens are a missing link in many woodland ecosystems across the country. They help to maintain healthy woodlands by controlling populations of small mammals, such as mice and voles.

Evidence shows they also suppress grey squirrel numbers, which benefits red squirrel conservation and woodland management. In summer and autumn, they consume a lot of berries and play a role in seed dispersal.

Pine martens are about the size of a domestic cat, with a slim, agile build and a long bushy tail, but they usually weigh around 1–2kg, which is much less than most cats.

No, pine martens are not apex predators, as there are wildlife species present that will predate a pine marten, including foxes and birds of prey. Avoiding predators is one reason they live in trees and woodlands, and have an elusive nature.

Pine martens are widespread in Scotland, and recovery projects in recent years have supported their return to England and Wales. See the Marten Map for their current distribution.

Pine martens are one of the UK’s rarest mammals, following historical persecution and habitat loss. This project aims to understand how pine martens could recover in north-east Yorkshire.

We’re studying their presence in the North York Moors National Park and surrounding areas, exploring what may help or hinder their return, and looking at how this fits into the wider picture of pine marten recovery across the UK.

This project is a partnership between Forestry England, NatureSpy and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

Our monitoring efforts since 2017 have recorded pine martens already living in the National Park in small numbers. This project aims to understand how they interact with the local environment, local attitudes to their return, and what actions may be required to support a viable population.

Our current focus is on gathering data to inform future pathways to conservation efforts.

There are recent verified records of pine martens living in the North York Moors National Park, and more sporadic records across the wider Yorkshire area.

Pine martens are present in small numbers, but their population size is currently unknown. One of the goals of this project is to improve our understanding of their numbers and distribution.

Pine martens naturally live in small populations across large areas. They are highly territorial and have slow breeding rates, which limits how many can live in a landscape.

We use a combination of trail cameras, artificial den boxes, and reported sightings to monitor pine martens and track their presence over time.

Sightings should be reported directly to NatureSpy, where they will be verified using a short questionnaire. Please report your sighting here.

While this phase of the project is primarily research-based, public sightings are incredibly valuable. The best way to support this work is to report any potential sightings.

To find out more about this project, please contact Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Species Recovery Engagement Officer, Luke Wray.

Email: luke.wray@ywt.org.uk

Mobile: 07551 587 340

Pine martens may visit quiet gardens to take food left out for birds or squirrels.

No. Pine martens are elusive, naturally shy and avoid people.

There is no evidence of pine martens attacking cats or dogs. They are shy, mostly nocturnal, and avoid confrontation with other animals where possible.

Pine martens can kill poultry or gamebirds if they gain access to pens or housing. They may climb fencing, squeeze through gaps, or jump in from overhanging branches.

Regular checks and maintenance of housing is advised, especially around the base, while clearing overhanging branches and using netting can help prevent access from above. More information can be found here.

There is no evidence to suggest pine martens pose a threat to livestock. Their diet mainly consists of small mammals, small birds, berries, and insects.

Pine martens can be caught in traps due to their presence in areas where legal trapping of other animals is taking place (e.g. squirrels). If a pine marten is accidentally trapped, ensure the trap door is securely open and the trap is covered. Allow the animal to leave in its own time.

Yes. Pine martens are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, making it illegal to intentionally kill, harm, or disturb them. Their breeding sites are also legally protected.