Wildzone Cumbria’s flora turns on the colour show for Red October
Cumbria’s forests have obligingly turned a beautiful shade of russet just in time for Red October in the Wildzone Cumbria – a pleasure ground of things to do and wildlife to spot while out and about breathing in the fresh, Cumbrian air.
The glorious array of colours on show on the trees has been attributed to a wet summer and the Forestry Commission has set up a special website to rate each wood’s colour on a scale from green to gold.
This is just one of the interactive things to do in the Wildzone Cumbria during Red October and over the October half term. Visitors of all ages are invited to take pictures of any wildlife they spot, whether flora or fauna and load their pictures on to wildzonecumbria.org. One great shot will win its creator a fabulous photographic holiday from Lakeland Photographic Holidays.
The forests are a great starting point for Wildzone Cumbria fun, whether you head to the red squirrel ‘stronghold’ of Whinlatter or check out the 60 permanently sited outdoor sculptured artworks in Grizedale Forest.
Between October 22 and 30, ‘Forests Take Flight’ is a free event in Grizedale at which any visitor can contribute to a piece of artwork inspired by everything that flies in the forest – leaves, seeds, bats and birds or prey. Mountain bikers and walkers will find exciting trails to follow, but if you’re more of a detective, head to Whinlatter Forest and solve clues to discover which animal created a crime!
If you and the family prefer to spot birdlife, there’s an I Spy – Birds of Brockhole event at the Lake District National Park Visitor Centre, Windermere, on October 21, while on October 30, the Red October schedule features a ‘Walk on the Wildside’ event from 10.30am to 12.30pm at RSPB Leighton Moss, near Carnforth. This encourages families to take to the Bearded Tit trail and find out more about these cheeky little birds. Adults pay £5, children £2 and families £10, with big reductions for RSPB members.
There are great walks to be enjoyed in the Red October Wildzone Cumbria landscape, whether you are walking with the Romans with the Lake District National Park on October 30, or enjoying a free guided walk with the National Trust around the Acorn Bank estate and to Temple Sowerby.
Crafty types can head indoors for red squirrel-themed craft activities laid on as part of the World of Beatrix Potter’s ‘Red Squirrel Day’ on October 29, or make bird cake animal sculptures at RSPB Leighton Moss on October 29.
Finding out more about Wildzone Cumbria’s flora and fauna is easily achieved at Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway’s Conservation Day on October 28 at its Dalegarth Station, when a variety of wildlife groups including the Copeland Red Squirrel Group and Cumbria Wildlife Trust will be explaining all about their work.
But if it’s Halloween fun you want in Wildzone Cumbria, head to the RSPB’s Creatures of the Night Trail from October 27 at November 4 at RSPB Leighton Moss, or take a trip to Ennerdale to make a witch’s broom and take a spooky walk in the dark on October 26.
Discover more details about Wildzone Cumbria, events in Red October and where to stay, by heading to wildzonecumbria.org. Other wildlife lovers will help guide your journey by signposting where they’ve spotted wildlife, whether that’s red squirrels, red deer, red kites or red-breasted merganser. A visit to the site will also increase your knowledge of the Cumbrian landscape and help you interact with other wildlife enthusiasts.
Lots of Red October activity is free or included within general admission charges, but for additional charges check the events programmes of Wildzone Cumbria members.
