Caption: Red Squirrel (c) Peter Skillen
Progress so far
We are delighted to say that we have made great progress since the project was formally launched at a meeting at Hay Bridge in September 2016.
Rusland’s Reds is a three-year project to support the local community in making more space for red squirrels. we have now:
- Several major and smaller landowners who are controlling greys, or are allowing grey control, including the Forestry Commission and the Lake District National Park Authority.
- A growing number of volunteer trappers and shooters. They’re already reporting red and grey squirrel sightings, shooting greys, and beginning to put out their tester feeders and traps as natural food becomes scarce.
- Bought a supply of tester feeders, wildlife cameras, traps and bait and begun to deploy them among our volunteers.
- Appointed contractors to start trapping in National Park woodlands.
- Started to put up posters around the area and at Grizedale Visitor Centre encouraging people to report their sightings (copy attached).
- Involved the Rusland Horizons apprentices, who have been trained in trapping and using wildlife cameras and have started work in Haverthwaite Heights.
- Established a local steering group at the heart of the project. I am chairing the group, Ian Lumsden of Rusland is acting as the group co-ordinator, with Elspeth Cooper of Bouth, Caroline Peet of Satterthwaite and Sally Fellows at Oxen Park being the other members of the group.
Visit the project page for more information.
What’s next?
We would love to have:
- More landowners on board who will report their grey squirrel control work or allow trained volunteers and contractors to operate under licence in their woodlands. We can advise on the details.
- More volunteers throughout the Scheme area who will report red and grey sightings. We can offer guidance on the process.
- More volunteers and potential contractors who will trap or shoot greys. We can offer training.
- The opportunity to talk to local groups about what we hope to achieve during the three years of the project - and the legacy we plan to create. We can offer speakers.
If you can help in any way, would like to discuss any of these opportunities or have any questions or concerns please contact Ian Lumsden on 01229 860605 or ian.lumsden@virgin.net or Bob Cartwright on 015395 61514 or secretary@westmorlandredsquirrels.org.uk.
Finally, if you know of anyone who might be interested but who is not currently on our radar, please share this webpage with them.