July 2010

Naturebreak UK Ltd Supporter’s Newsletter

Newsletter 2 - July 2010 - View/Download PDF

Summer has arrived and, with all that warm dry weather in June, nature seems to have fully recovered from such a cold start to the year. These conditions certainly seem to have helped some of the wildlife in Cumbria. Orchids have been found in places in great numbers, and there seems to be an explosion of Ringlet butterflies.

Marsh Hellebore	Ringlet

This newsletter focuses on red squirrels, one of our favourite mammals now sadly almost entirely confined in England to Cumbria and Northumberland.
Please also take time to look at the programme of events we have developed for the August holidays. We hope you will be able to join us for some of these events www.naturebreakuk.co.uk/day-events

Red Squirrels in Cumbria

The European red squirrel is one of the most critically endangered native species in the UK. There are thought to be no more than 150,000 red squirrels remaining in the wild and without conservation work on their behalf, they would disappear entirely from the UK within a decade. With the exception of Sefton in Merseyside, they are seldom found south of Cumbria.

To preserve red squirrel numbers, there are 17 carefully monitored strongholds in the north of England. Whinlatter Forest Park and Thirlmere are two such strongholds in Cumbria, where you can visit and see red squirrels in their natural habitat. Save Our Squirrels frequently runs talks, guided walks and activities from these locations.
After the introduction of grey squirrels into the UK in the 19th century, they have out-competed red squirrels for food and introduced the deadly squirrelpox virus, to which greys are immune but red squirrels succumb within 14 days. There is currently no cure for this illness.

To support native red squirrels, you can help in several ways. First, you can contact Save Our Squirrels by logging on to their website at www.saveoursquirrels.org when you spot a squirrel. Second, if you are in a red squirrel area, you can put out food for red squirrels, especially important during the summer months, when food for squirrels is sparse. Third, you can involve yourself in SOS’ efforts to raise awareness and generate revenue for this vital conservation work. Finally, you can donate directly to the SOS project by visiting their website, where you can find more information.