News
05 March 2026

Rare Pine Marten Sighting at Stormont Estate

Following a brief sighting last year, we are absolutely thrilled to confirm that a Pine Marten has officially been spotted again at Stormont Estate.

Our camera traps have captured wonderful new footage, showing that these elusive creatures are once again making themselves at home at Stormont Estate.

To encourage our wild visitors, in partnership with RSPB, we set up feeding stations in mid-February. It turns out this Pine Marten has quite a refined palate.

While the native strawberries and raspberries are a massive hit, the blackberries have been left completely untouched. It seems we have a picky eater on our hands!

Why We Are Celebrating

The continued presence of Pine Martens is a fantastic sign for the health of our local environment. They play a vital role in the ecosystem:

  • Natural Balance: They help manage rodent populations, such as mice and rats, in a sustainable way.
  • Support for Red Squirrels: By naturally deterring grey squirrels, Pine Martens help create a safer environment for our native red squirrels.

It is wonderful to see this story being picked up by BBC NI and UTV. We are so proud that the estate is providing a safe haven for such a rare and iconic species.

Great work to all involved!

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