CONFIRMED sighting of pine martens have been made in the Tarras Valley woodlands.
Trail cameras have recorded several pine martens visiting the feeders, which were built by students from Langholm and Canonbie primary schools.
The team at Tarras Valley Nature Reserve are thrilled at the sightings and said: “This is such big news for the comeback of such an endangered species in the area. Although we had suspected we might have the ideal mixed woodland habitat for pine martens, it’s certainly been a big surprise for us all to find that these amazing creatures are living on the reserve!”
Pine Martens are critically endangered in England and Wales as much of their woodland habitat has been lost. In Scotland, though they have recovered a little from a dramatic decline, the species is still rare. Scotland’s population is estimated at 3700 adult pine martens and is gradually expanding south from their Highland stronghold.
Team Tarras added: “As we encourage native woodlands to expand through the Tarras Valley, we hope that we will be creating more diverse interconnected habitat to support this species into the future.
“A huge thanks to local company S.A.P Ecology and Environmental Ltd who have provided us with such excellent advice, Dumfries and Galloway Pine Marten Group for the feeding station designs and to the local young people who helped us build the feeders.”
