With their ears topped with tufts of silky red hair and their big, beautiful eyes, these creatures are to be truly treasured.
With their number in rapid decline in the UK, now more than ever the red squirrel needs our help.
The population in England has dropped from approximately 3.5 million to now only 140,000.
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There are many reasons for the extreme decline in numbers including the squirrel pox virus carried by the grey squirrels which is fatal to the reds.
Further, the ongoing and devastating destruction of woodlands across the UK is a major contributing factor to the decline of the red squirrels owing to loss of habitat.
Here in the Lake District, we are extremely fortunate to be one of the two remaining locations to have a presence of red squirrels.
Red squirrels thrive in coniferous woodland, eating spruce and pine seeds and can be commonly seen first thing in the morning or late afternoon as this is when they’re most active.
There are lots we can do to help protect the red squirrels from endangerment. The Woodland Trust is working on projects throughout Britain to develop long-term conservation strategies to deter the greys and encourage the reds.
On-going monitoring, habitat improvement, and tree planting in woodland areas are all ways to help the red squirrels and the ‘Grasmere Red Squirrel’ group does a truly fantastic job of fundraising and supporting the Red Squirrels in and around the area.
Research has shown that reintroducing pine martens will help control the number of grey squirrels, which in effect could increase the recovery of the red squirrel population, however the pine marten cannot be the sole reliant for the survival of red squirrels. https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/saving-species/red-squirrels
I hope you will join us in working fiercely to protect this little mammal, which more now than ever needs our help to protect them from extinction.
We are looking to raise funds to support the red squirrel in many ways and are in the process of setting up our live ‘Squirrel Cam’ so we can bring you live pictures of this beautiful creature from right here in the Lake District.
Let’s work together, with mother nature to create perfect woodland areas for red squirrels and other mammals. This stunning landscape can only help through restoration and preservation.
If you would like to get involved or support, please visit www.lakedistrictprotectionsociety.org or email info@lakedistrictprotectionsociety.org.
