Squirrels made 'big screen' stars

Action is being taken to protect endangered red squirrels

Wildlife experts in Cumbria are hoping to cash in on the big-screen success of nesting ospreys, by zooming in on elusive red squirrels.

Thousands of visitors flocked to a special visitor centre to view images of the Bassenthwaite ospreys on a huge video screen.

Now the same cameras have been moved to Whinlatter Forest Park near Keswick to capture the lives of the squirrels.

The four ospreys have now started their migration to Africa.

The special "squirrel cam" has been set up by rangers in Dodd Wood to allow visitors the rare chance to see the red squirrels close up.

Trap door

Nathan Fox, of the Forestry Commission, said: "It's a wonderful opportunity to see these endangered creatures in action.

"They are very entertaining and people just love to see them playing around and eating nuts."

A feeding station has been devised that only allows red squirrels to eat the seed and nuts. A trap door means the heavier grey squirrels cannot reach the food.

There are estimated to be 160,000 red squirrels left in Britain and they are under threat from the 2.5 million American grey squirrels.

The Forestry Commission is working to develop a long-term conservation strategy that deters greys and encourages reds throughout Cumbria.