Here comes summer!


Welcome to your May 2019 edition of Cumbrian Wildlife. I love the arrival of summer: the warmth of the sunshine and


Cumbrian Wildlife


The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Editor or the Board of Trustees.


Editor: Andrea Simpson Tel: 01539 816300 Email: andreas@cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk


Magazine design: Fluid Design Studio Tel: 08456 12 80 12 Email: info@fluiddesignstudio.com


Unless otherwise credited, all photographs are copyright Cumbria Wildlife Trust.


Cover photo: Pine marten Photo: Terry Whitaker/2020VISION


the longer days, the first sight of buterflies and dragonflies, and countless flowers coming into bloom – all bringing vibrancy of colour that makes the season so upliſting.


With orchids and buterflies abundant, it’s a fantastic time of year to visit Smardale Nature Reserve. Andrew Walter explains


how recent developments have made this special place beter for visitors and Debbie North shares her experience of visiting as a wheelchair user. We’ll look forward to seeing you there too!


4 Your views 5 News 7 In memory 8 Andrew’s story


In this edition we look at reintroductions as our theme. We revisit beavers and pine martens, but also bring you


exciting news of new projects that may see the return of extinct species in our county.


Andrea, Editor


P.S. Don’t forget, Cumbrian Wildlife is also available digitally! Contact me at


10 Reintroductions 10 Extinctions 12 Reintroductions – it’s not all bears and wolves


14 Pine martens in the north of England


16 ‘BOOM’ transforming lives and landscapes in South Cumbria


Cumbria Wildlife Trust Head Office: Plumgarths, Crook Road, Kendal, Cumbria LA8 8LX T 01539 816300


Gosling Sike: Houghton Road, Houghton, Carlisle CA3 0LD T 01228 829570


E mail@cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk W www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk


Registered in England as Cumbria Wildlife Trust Limited, a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 00724133. Registered Charity No. 218711.


18 Beavers: reintroducing the engineers of the natural world


20 Saving the freshwater pearl mussel


21 The usefulness of drones


22 Accessible nature reserves: Smardale


24 A wonderful welcome awaits you at Smardale Nature Reserve


25 Nature reserves news


The UK Fundraising Regulator was launched in July 2016. This regulator sets and maintains the standards for charitable fundraising to which Cumbria Wildlife Trust is commited. The regulator will be able to act more quickly and effectively if poor fundraising practice is exposed.


At the Trust, we aim to meet the highest standards in the way we fundraise. If you are ever unhappy with any communication you receive from us, please contact Helen Duxbury, Development Manager on 01539 816300.


HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS ISSUE... PAGE


10 18 PAGE 26 PAGE Follow us on


andreas@cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk to sign up to the next edition.


26 Seals of South Walney 28 Get Cumbria buzzing 30 Thank you 31 Corporate members


32 UK news stories 32 UK news stories 36 Buterflies without borders 40 The house that Jack built 42 It’s time to join our campaign for a Wilder Future


Plus more in our digital edition!


12 PAGE 22 PAGE 40 PAGE www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk 3


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