Tag: Red Squirrel

  • Saving the red squirrels of the Lake District

    While visiting Grasmere you may have spotted a number of red squirrels running in and around the village.

    Once a popular sight and the only native species in England, red squirrels have suffered a major decline. Since the introduction of the grey squirrel, red squirrels have dropped from around three and half million to an estimated one hundred and twenty thousand.

    Helping to protect the red squirrels are the Grasmere Red Squirrel Group, who work with Allan Bank to make Allan Bank their ideal home. Supplementing the red squirrel’s diet, Allan Bank puts out monkey nuts and sunflower seeds every morning into their special feeders. They help to monitor the population and keep an eye out for any sick or injured squirrels.

    As well as the Grasmere Red Squirrel Group, there are a number of groups in and surrounding Cumbria all with the same purpose to ‘protect the red squirrel’.

    To find your nearest group visit:

    http://www.northernredsquirrels.org.uk/nrs-groups/cumbria-groups/

    To find out more or to see how you can show your support visit:

    https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/appeal/support-red-squirrels-in-the-lake-district

     

  • Red Squirrel - Wildlife of The Lake District

    The red squirrel is native to the woodlands of The Lake District and one of the few remaining areas where the animal can still be seen and found. Red squirrels are an endangered species that have been suffering a steady decline in numbers since the grey squirrel arrived in Britain. Although grey squirrels are increasing their population, there are still large numbers of red squirrels found within northern areas of the National Park.

    Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) running along branch

    When faced with competition from grey squirrels red squirrels survive best in large numbers in coniferous woodland. Red squirrels need a constant supply of diverse food such as seeds, nuts, berries, cones, buds, shoots, flowers and occasionally insects. The length of a red squirrel is 180 – 240 mm long with a tail of up to 175mm. Their tails act as a heat source in the winter to aid their balance and communication. Active during the daytime the squirrels make nests in a tree fork or a hollow. The nests are made using soft hair, moss and dried grass.

    Red Squirrel

    Red squirrels are quite elusive and are most likely to be see in Lake District woodland, in particular Whinlatter Forest and Dodd Wood. We’ve also seen them at the front of the café too where a project at Allan Bank is running a project to help protect them.