Natural England reported on 7 October 2026 that a camera trap at Benacre National Nature Reserve, near Lowestoft, had recorded footage of what is thought to be a live pine marten — described as a first for Suffolk. The trap was installed to monitor predators and disturbance affecting birds at the reserve. Adam Burrows, senior reserve manager for Natural England, called the find a thrill for reserve staff.

The agency noted that the animal could instead be a beech marten, which looks almost identical. Pine martens are elusive, mainly nocturnal mammals related to weasels and stoats; they declined sharply through habitat loss and historical persecution and are now rare in England, with strongholds mainly in Scotland and parts of Wales. The nearest previously recorded sighting to the reserve was at Heacham, Norfolk, in 2024.

Natural England said camera traps would continue supporting predator and disturbance monitoring, helping protect ground-nesting birds such as little terns and avocets in the breeding season. The reserve supports more than 100 breeding bird species. The agency also cited its King's Series programme, which it said would create or extend 25 National Nature Reserves by 2027.