Nature Notes - Mammals

by Howard Simpson

All images © Paul Harris
Otter

Otters

Skelly Nab ( the shoreline at Outward Bound) is where the Ice Age fish the Schelly comes to spawn. At this time Otters gather there to benefit from the easy pickings. The number of otter spraints found is a good indication of the fish population.

Red Squirrel

Red squirrels

Red Squirrels can be found in a number of locations in the valley, especially at Aira Force, at Outward Bound or in gardens in Glenridding and Patterdale. I usually see them when they run across the road in front of the car!

Roe deer

Roe Deer

Roe Deer can be seen almost anywhere in the valley. I have seen them several times in the area behind Patterdale YH and also near Lanty's Tarn. Last year I saw one trotting along the A592 on the north side of Glenridding village in the middle of the afternoon.

Red deer

Red Deer

Red Deer inhabit Martindale where they rut in mid-October - as many as 500 deer can be present. Quite often they can be seen on the flanks of Place Fell, sometimes in groups of 6 or 12. On summer evenings they often come down to the lakeshore and graze in the fields south of Sandwick.

Badger

Badgers and foxes

Badgers and Foxes can occur almost anywhere. Badger setts can be found in many woods. Sadly they are also seen as 'roadkill'.

by Howard Simpson

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