Installing ‘Lite’ Pine Marten Den Boxes in Wentwood Forest

While walking the Pine Marten Nature Trail with Martens on the Move Project Officer Lucy Nord, I learned why den boxes are so important at Wentwood. Much of the forest is made up of young, recovering native woodland, meaning there are relatively few old trees with the natural cavities that pine martens use for resting and raising their young. The lightweight ‘Lite’ boxes we’re using here are designed specifically for younger woodlands, where narrower tree trunks wouldn’t be able to support a standard Vincent Wildlife Trust den box.  

Earlier this year, we installed three Lite-style den boxes in Wentwood Forest, near Newport.  

Lite den box at Wentwood Forest

But the installation itself is only part of the story. It’s the people involved who bring the work to life.

As Communications and Engagement Officer for Martens on the Move, I was invited to take part in the fieldwork. The timing felt particularly exciting as we had recently received two pine marten records from the forest, making it feel like a real possibility that these boxes could soon be investigated by passing martens.

On the day, a small team of volunteers joined Lucy Nord — Rosalyn, a Woodland Trust volunteer and experienced feeder box monitor, brought valuable knowledge of local wildlife activity; Sam, an ecologist who grew up nearby, knew the forest really well; and Andy, a keen wildlife photographer and regular volunteer with other conservation projects, added his experience and enthusiasm.

One of the highlights of the day for me was meeting the volunteers and hearing about their backgrounds and reasons for getting involved. There was a shared sense of purpose and it was inspiring to see people generously giving their time to help wildlife conservation. Because these were the first Lite den box installations for Wales, we were effectively a new team and so it was great to feel part of that from the beginning.

Before any tools came out, the groundwork had already been done. Lucy had worked with the Woodland Trust Site Manager to identify appropriate areas — avoiding sites with planned forestry operations and selecting habitat likely to appeal to pine martens.

In the field, however, final decisions always require careful judgement. The team spent time moving through the woodland, assessing individual trees Looking for the ideal location, which is a balance of several factors.

• The tree must be strong enough to support the weight
• Climbing features such as branches or ivy are essential, especially for young kits learning to climb
• The location should be relatively quiet, but still accessible for monitoring
• A second tree, at least five metres away, is needed to position the trail camera

Finding the right trees involved much more exploration than I expected. We spent time pushing through dense undergrowth and vegetation, looking for the perfect location. It was a hot day filled with birdsong and insects, and although leaving the main paths isn't something I usually do, it offered a completely different experience of a woodland.

Teamwork in the canopy

Once the right trees were selected, installation became a coordinated effort. Roles quickly emerged within the group:

• The fixer, who climbed the ladder and secured the ropes and fittings
• The hauler, responsible for lifting the box into position from the ground
• The stabiliser, footing the ladder and ensuring safety

Each volunteer took turns in these roles, gaining first-hand experience of what can be surprisingly physical work. Lifting and securing a den box is a practical task, but it’s also deeply satisfying — placing something tangible into the landscape that may one day shelter a breeding marten and her kits.

Watching the team work together gave me a real appreciation for the knowledge, preparation and trust involved in carrying out installations safely.

VWT volunteers, Sam, Rosalyn and Andy installing a Lite den box at Wentwood Forest with Project Officer Lucy Nord.

Watching and waiting

With the box in place, attention turned to monitoring. A trail camera was installed on a nearby tree, carefully aligned with the den box entrance hole while still capturing the roof of the box. After inserting a fresh SD card and batteries, the team worked through the camera settings to ensure even brief visits wouldn’t be missed.

Monitoring is an essential part of the project where volunteers return every six weeks to replace batteries and collect SD cards, which are later reviewed for footage. Each clip — whether it shows a fleeting visit or sustained activity — helps build a clearer picture of pine marten presence and behaviour.

Later, we stopped for lunch in a quiet, remote part of the woodland. Sitting on the forest floor and looking up through the branches gave me a different perspective on the habitat we were working in. I found myself wondering whether a pine marten might be somewhere nearby, watching us from a distance. Lucy explained how curious and inquisitive pine martens can be, and that if they spot or smell a new den box, there's a good chance they'll investigate simply to see what's there. Now we're all keeping our fingers crossed that the cameras will eventually capture some footage of a curious visitor.

Signs of success

Encouragingly, Wentwood has already shown signs of pine marten activity this summer (June 2026). Rosalyn has captured footage at her feeder station, and a member of the public submitted a daytime photograph of a pine marten near the forest’s interpretation boards on the nature trail.

These records suggest that the species is active in the area — a promising sign for the newly installed den boxes.

As the weeks pass and footage is collected, we’ll be watching closely. With three new den boxes now in place, we’re hopeful that they will soon become part of the forest’s hidden life.

Follow us on social media for updates — perhaps the next sighting will be of a marten investigating, or even moving into, one of these new homes.  

Dale Richards, Communications and Engagement Officer, Martens on the Move, English/Welsh Border