Red Squirrels

Through the 1950’s until the late 70’s, the former occupant Professor Marjorie Brierley, would each day hang up ‘danglets’ – a curious mixture of coconut biscuits and old cheddar cheese. From the kitchen window, Red Squirrels could be seen feeding, sometimes up to three at a time. Sadly, since then sightings became increasingly rare. We have now installed two feeding boxes and Red Squirrels are returning.

The main threat to Red Squirrels in Cumbria and elsewhere are their larger, more aggressive, squirrel pox carrying cousins - The Grey Squirrel. We ask guests to report sightings of Greys, so they can be trapped and removed from the area, allowing the Reds to remain healthy and for numbers to increase. Rowling End is a corporate member of the Allerdale Red Squirrel Group.

The Allerdale Red Squirrel Group: http://www.allerdaleredsquirrels.co.uk

Cumbria is now the home of an innovative project to help protect the red squirrel from extinction. Whinlatter Forest near Keswick has a red squirrel reserve which is now open to the public. Visitors can walk along a trail through the Red Squirrel Reserve and learn about the animals with displays inside the centre.

Whinlatter Forest Park: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/whinlatterforestpark

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