LOCAL WILDLIFE
Ravenstonedale and the Westmorland Dales are home to a number of special species, many of which are now rare or endangered in the UK. Here at The Green, we aim to live in a way that supports and restores the right habitats for these animals.
We also hope our guests have the chance to see and enjoy this wildlife during their stay, and perhaps leave with a deeper understanding of why these landscapes, and the species they support, are so important, both nationally and internationally.
Species to look out for during your stay
Red Squirrels
We are incredibly lucky to share The Green Cumbria with red squirrels, surely the most endearing of our native mammals. With the right care and protection, we are confident that these special creatures will continue to thrive here for years to come.
FIND OUT MORE: Penrith & District Red Squirrel Group
Curlew
The haunting call of the curlew is one of the true sounds of the Westmorland Dales, echoing across fields and fells. But this iconic bird is now in decline, making each sighting and each call all the more special. With sensitive land management and continued care, there is hope that this much loved bird will remain part of these hills for future generations to enjoy.
FIND OUT MORE: RSPB Curlew sounds project
Brown Hare
Brown hares are a familiar but fleeting presence in the surrounding fields, most often seen in the stillness of early morning or evening light. Though still part of the landscape, their numbers are in decline. With space to roam and sympathetic farming, they can recover, making each sighting a quiet sign of a landscape in balance.
FIND OUT MORE: Yorkshire Dales Brown Hares
Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary
The small pearl bordered fritillary is a delicate presence in the surrounding meadows, appearing briefly in late spring and early summer. With the right habitats restored and protected, there is growing optimism for the return of this beautiful and fragile butterfly.
FIND OUT MORE: Cumbria Wildlife Trust
Great tits are highly intelligent birds, famously known for learning to open milk bottles in the early 20th century and spreading the behaviour socially. Their varied spring song also adapts to different habitats, helping them communicate through woodland and gardens.
The Eurasian nuthatch - often seen moving headfirst down tree trunks with quiet confidence, a charming woodland bird whose presence adds to the richness of the surrounding habitat.
We are fortunate to hear the soft, wheeling song of the greenfinch around The Green Cumbria, a cheerful garden bird whose numbers have fallen in recent years, making its presence all the more welcome
Great tits are highly intelligent birds, famously known for learning to open milk bottles in the early 20th century and spreading the behaviour socially. Their varied spring song also adapts to different habitats, helping them communicate through woodland and gardens.