Red Squirrels in the Lake District.

[welshcameraman]

Thanks everyone for your help. I will definitely take a walk around the Wray castle area, Woodman,that does look a nice area.

I have also read Whinlatter is a good place, so a day out there might be worth while, baring in mind I will have to fit the Squirrel chasing with a couple of days on the fells...weather permitting of coarse.

As for Whinfell, we did actually think about staying there but found it was a bit on the expensive side...and a bit far out...That said if the weather turns bad, might go and have a look around with the premise of staying there in the future...

Martin

[JeffH]

There used to be quite a strong local population in the Greystoke Forest area - 2-3 miles north of the A66 between Keswick and Penrith - and including the villages of Hutton Roof, Mungrisdale and Mosedale on the eastern side of Blencathra, but I haven't been up there for several years now and so don't know their current status.

Jeff
(Schedule 1 Licence holder for Kingfishers, Barn Owls & Avocets)

[welshcameraman]

Thanks Jeff

A day out at Greystoke Castle would be interesting. Their website actually states a good population of Reds and NO greys. I have actually sent a mail to the Castle to find out if the grounds are open to the public.

I will anyone interested as to what they say.

Martin

[JeffH]

You're welcome Martin

Good luck with the Lake District Reds .......and do let us know if you also get a shot of Tarzan swinging through the trees at Greystoke

Jeff
(Schedule 1 Licence holder for Kingfishers, Barn Owls & Avocets)

[actionfinch]

just looking through some old pics and found these of the reds we see whilst on hols in 2008.
It was in the back garden of the B&B we stayed at. ( near Dodds hill.)






i love em...

[dave midi]

Great shots, actionfinch. Gottal love those little guys

[ChrisJB]

Patterdale is a good area to look for red squirrels in the woodland up there and it is a beautiful spot. If you can get access to the grounds of the youth hostel you should see them. They come to the feeders with regularity.

Chris

[Dragonyka]

I have fond memories of causing a traffic jam when I was driving up to Grizedale 5 or 6 years ago because a red squirrel decided to stop in the middle of the road in front of us. Luckily it was a narrow road so no-one could overtake us! The squirrel sat and looked at us for a minute or so and then carried on across the road. I'd never seen a red squirrel in the wild before that.

Sorry, this isn't really helpful to the OP just a tale to encourage you to keep your eyes open wherever you go

[welshcameraman]

Yea great pics actionfinch, thanks everyone for your advice..Patterdale is another very good possibility, especially as we will be staying just over the pass in Troutbeck.

Jeff, as of yet, the people at Greystoke haven't replied to my mail.

Martin

[PMG]

Originally Posted by The Woodman

Those were the days, "full of reds". Yes, you may still see RS in that area but numbers have been depleted by parapox. There are a few areas where populations are surviving, the southern end of the Duddon Valley being one such place.

A number of initiatives have seen huge amounts of funding swallowed up in efforts to conserve RS in Cumbria but at the end of the day the march of the Greys and disease take their toll. I fear for the long term viability of the iconic stock here.

I've been watching a captive pair this morning flirting away but the owner is unsure if the mating will be viable due to the length of time they've been at it.

This is one of them taken last year for anyone who wants a RS fix!

Missed this thread but its made interesting reading while catching up - thanks Woodman - some of this info is useful for me too!!!

Pauline