HOPES are high that the first kits could be born to pine martens which were reintroduced last autumn to Exmoor after an absence of 150 years.

The Two Moors Pine Marten Project released 19 pine martens, nine females and 10 males, in secret locations in the national park.

Now, the project is hoping some will have started to breed.

A spokesperson said: “Our pine martens on Exmoor have certainly been enjoying the warmer weather and keeping our tracking volunteers busy.

“After a quieter winter spent establishing territories, they are now on the move again, exploring their new homes and experiencing spring in the Westcountry for the first time.

“As the woodlands burst into life, we are hopeful that some females may already have, or soon will have, kits.

“Pine martens mate in late summer but delay implantation of fertilised eggs until late winter, so their young are born in spring when there is lots of food available.

“We are monitoring a few individuals with camera traps across Dartmoor and Exmoor, and hope to capture exciting new footage of kits very soon.”

The spokesperson said bringing back a critically endangered predator such as a pine marten, was ‘complicated’.

They said: “While their return brings many benefits for wildlife and local communities, it can also present challenges.

“We have been working closely with woodland managers and the shooting community to support them if needed, and help people adapt to living alongside our new woodland neighbours.

“If you are interested about pine martens on your land, we have updated our landowners webpage with practical advice, resources, and guidance.”

The Two Moors Pine Marten Project is also looking for volunteers who to set up camera traps, also known as trail cameras, to help keep tabs on the pine martens and other widllife.

The spokesperson said: “Wildlife cameras give us a rare glimpse into the secret lives of pine martens and other woodland wildlife without disturbing them.

“This is how we monitor and track our pine martens as they explore their new homes in Dartmoor and Exmoor, and you can be part of it.

“We are looking for volunteers with access to woodland to run their own camera traps, capture wildlife activity, and contribute to this exciting citizen science effort.”

The project also offers grants of up to £500 for community and nature groups, schools, businesses, and landowners wanting to support pine marten recovery in the Westcountry.

The spokesperson said: “Our grants have already supported habitat improvement projects, funded teacher training through the ‘Growing Devon’s Schools’ programme, and enabled Loddiswell Nature Group to purchase three wildlife cameras for local monitoring.”

The project is running a ‘travelling pine martens’ show across Exmoor until April 19 for families to have fun and learn more about the creatures, visiting Heddon Valley, Watersmeet Tea Room, Minehead Library, Dunster National Park Centre, and Tarr Farm Inn.

Visitors can look for pine marten soft cuddly toys named Polly, Polo, Pluto, Percy, Peggy, Penny, Primrose, Posy, Pippin, and Patrick which have been placed in various locations on the moor.