Penrith and District Red Squirrel Group

16/12/2025

The P&DRSG Winter 2025 Newsletter.

15/12/2025

*For Information*
Shap Wells - over the last couple of months we have suffered an as yet unexplained loss of reds at the red squirrel walk/ woodland area. We are monitoring the situation and at this stage have removed a lot of feeders to help this monitoring. Our rangers are there regularly. Although there is a public footpath through the woodland we would ask if possible members and the public to stay away for the time being giving maximum chance to the few left to breed and build up in numbers again.
It will also give the path through the site a chance to recover after the appalling weather we have experienced in recent weeks

14/12/2025

A big thank you to Hartley's 11zees group red squirrel fundraiser coffee morning and raffle held at Castle House, Hartley, Kirkby Stephen. Over £400 was raised for P&DRSG

16/11/2025

Ideal Christmas Present the P&DRSG 2026 Calendar. Link to our eBay shop here:

https://ebay.us/m/nRhjws

13/11/2025

We would love to hear about your random acts of kindness today 💚🐿️💚

09/11/2025

We would like to say a big thank you to Elspeth and Seb from the ‘Kendal Kingfishers Wildlife Watch Group’ for getting in touch with us recently to enquire about a wildlife activity morning squirrel spotting at Shap Wells.
The popular group provides nature based activities for youngsters aged 6 plus through the Cumbria Wildlife Trust.
Although the weather was forecast showers this morning it stayed dry until the guided walk finished 👏
Red Squirrel Ranger Jerry and PDRSG volunteer Sarah led the guided walk/talk and the reds were plentiful for all to see. The large party was split into two groups and Jerry and Sarah led the visitors to the two newly built hides, a riverside walk to a waterfall and even through a bear cave ( an old Rhododendron tunnel) which the children loved!
The morning ended with a hot chocolate, cookies and many happy faces.
All but one person had never visited the Shap Wells reds so you can imagine how surprised they were when they walked up the to the beautiful waterfall to see the first red squirrel there.
The children as well as the adults were very interested in looking through Jerrys multispectral binoculars (Thermal/digital day/night) which are a game changer for red squirrel conservation efforts.

08/11/2025

2027 Red Squirrel Calendar Competition

We are pleased to announce that we are running a Red Squirrel photo competition for the 2027 Calendar.

This Competition is open to All.

Photographs MUST be your own work and MUST be suitable for use as a calendar image. Entrants that are under the age of 16 need to instruct a parent or guardian to send in the entry on their behalf. Images of red squirrels in LANDSCAPE format only please NO other wildlife and NO AI. Copyright is retained by the Photographer, by sending P&DRSG your image you agree to allow us to use your image for printing of the 2027 Calendar and also for promotional purposes.

How to enter and further details

A Maximum of 4 images per person the cost is £2.50 per image

1. Please make payment first via bank transfer only to Penrith and District red squirrel group. Account number 01310968 sort code 40-36-10 in the subject please mark as – “Photo Comp”

2. Then email your images along with your Name, Address and phone number to [email protected]

3. The competition is open from now with a closing date for entries of 5pm Friday the 24th April 2026

Each winning image will receive a Calendar and one overall winner will have their image on the front cover as well as one of the months of the year. The overall winner will win a Sunday dinner for two at the Shap Wells Hotel , a 20 inch x 16inch mounted print of their image and a Calendar. All winners will be contacted via email and requested to send us the chosen image in a large format file.

08/11/2025

The new P&DRSG Beanies are now listed on our eBay shop link here

https://ebay.us/m/ye3Lvi

07/11/2025

03/11/2025

Our red squirrel conservation talks continue in primary and secondary schools across the area that P&DRSG covers.
Just before half term Rachel Smith, P&DRSG volunteer, gave a talk in an assembly to all the Y9s at Queen Elizabeth Grammar school in Penrith. The young people were clearly interested to hear more about the red squirrel’s struggle for survival and inspired to make a difference. ❤️🐿️

02/11/2025

We have just received a lovely message from Caroline and David Cameron from Penrith who have just hosted a two day Christmas crafts event and have kindly donated £132 to Penrith and District Red Squirrel Group.
Many thanks for your support Caroline and David 👏🐿️🐿️

31/10/2025

How do you carve yours? This is how we do it at PDRSG 🐿️🧡🎃