Seeing red

Pine martens were once common in Britain but are now found only in Scotland and isolated pockets of northern England and Wales. But if the Forestry Commission gets its way, this beautiful creature might be reintroduced more widely. As an added bonus, it preys on grey squirrels. A study in Scotland has shown that in areas where greys have declined because of higher pine marten populations, the native red squirrels – previously forced out – have started to thrive once more. Unlike the greys, they co-evolved with the martens and are small and light enough to evade the predators. But if the pine martens killed all the greys and were also unable to catch red squirrels, what then would be on their target list? A few cat owners living near woodland will be keeping an eye out for movement in the branches.