NEWS


Marsh fritillary caterpillars spin a communal silk web in which to


spend the winter. Adults can be seen on the wing from May.


In brief EYCOTT HILL Counting webs


Following the discovery of breeding marsh fritillary buterflies at Eycot Hill Nature Reserve, near Mungrisdale, around five years ago, the northern reserves team has recently undertaken a detailed survey of the buterfly’s larval webs to help determine the size of the population and where the species is breeding on the site. Over 200 webs were recorded, which suggests this threatened species has established a healthy and thriving population at the nature reserve.


SOUTH WALNEY Seal pups


Tis year’s first seal pup of the season was spoted on 31 August, a month earlier than usual, with a second pup born three weeks later on 17 September. Te pupping season in Cumbria generally runs from October to mid-November, and varies from region to region. One theory is that the mother may have come from a nearby colony (for example North Wales or Te Isle of Man) where it’s not so unusual to see pups earlier. Our marine team also heard from partners that unusually early grey seal pup births have also been recorded in Cornwall and on the Isle of Man, so it seems this may be a UK-wide trend. Tis is the 11th year running that pups have been recorded at South Walney Nature Reserve, Cumbria’s only breeding grey seal colony. To watch the colony online via our live sealcam, visit www.cumbriawildlifetrust .org.uk/wildlife/cams/seal-cam


STAVELEY WOODLANDS


Building bridges & more


Tanks to a grant of £37,000 from the SUEZ Communities Fund for England, administered by GrantScape, the first stage of work to improve access across the woodlands that come together to form Staveley Woodlands Nature Reserve has now been completed. Te project has delivered a new


boardwalk, bridges, and three locally sourced larch benches on Craggy Wood’s steep slopes – perfect rest-stops with fantastic views for walkers. Additional seating in the lower clearing has also created an amphitheatre-style seting for events and activities. Still to come are new interpretation


panels and signage to aid navigation along the woodland trails, plus an exciting children’s trail. We can’t wait to welcome you!


New boardwalk As the busy summer season drew to a close at Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve, near Witherslack, work quickly got underway to replace 300 metres of boardwalk. New recycled plastic boardwalk will provide upgraded access from the end of the track to the raised viewing platform and osprey viewpoint. Although that section of the trail is closed whilst works are taking place, visitors can still access all other paths, and we look forward to opening the new boardwalk in the New Year.


Red-breasted merganser


A red-breasted merganser successfully fledged at South Walney Nature Reserve this summer. The bird breeds in small numbers in Cumbria and this year’s confirmed breeding is the first recorded at the nature reserve since 1985.


Cold Springs community A suite of new signage and interpretation has been produced for Cold Springs Community Nature Reserve, Penrith, which is being installed this autumn by a team of volunteers joining the weekly conservation days – thank you for all your help!


Woodland management


A very small but wonderful woodland nature reserve in Eskdale, Christcliffe Duck Field has been refenced thanks to the Species Survival Fund Rainforest Restoration Project, in partnership with Plantlife. Former Cumbria Wildlife Trust director Peter Bullard also completed a thorough bryophyte survey of the site, recording over 60 species.


Osprey chick Blue 9K4 is hopefully the first of many chicks to be reared by Foulshaw’s new pair.


Grey seal pup born at South Walney Nature Reserve.


New bridges and benches aid access for visitors.


Cumbrian Wildlife | November 2025 33


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