Pine martens released into Lake District woodland

Pine martens are excellent tree climbers and are shy nocturnal animals.

The habitat surveys and monitoring were led by Dr Mic Mayhew from the University of Cumbria, who found Grizedale Forest and the Graythwaite Estate to be the most suitable area for release.

“The good connectivity of the area’s forests means that they can be expected to move quite quickly to other parts of south Cumbria, including the Duddon Valley,” said Dr. Mayhew.

It comes as the Upper Duddon Landscape Recovery Project explores options for restoring habitat to native woodland, pasture, heathland, scrub and peatlands.

It is hoped that species such as water voles, globeflowers, tree pipits and pine martens will increase in numbers.