Northumberland Wildlife Trust is taking part in a major conservation survey to find out where pine martens, one of the UK’s shyest animals, are living in the region.

A member of the weasel family, pine martens are mostly a chestnut-brown colour with a cream bib. Previously widespread, they declined dramatically due to persecution and habitat loss and by 1915 could only be found in a few isolated pockets, with their primary refuge in northwest Scotland.

However, the good news is they are making a comeback to various parts of the UK. Having extended their range in Scotland, they moved down to the Scottish borders and then into Kielder Forest in Northumberland.