Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think Whinfell Center Parcs should not have feral cats

69 replies

CrossAndTired · 16/11/2024 15:28

We are regular guests here and always love seeing the red squirrels. We bring nuts and seeds to throw onto the patio and normal get lots of visitors.
This morning was our first here and I sat watching the dawn looking out into the forest waiting to see the lovely wildlife. After a couple of fat pigeons what appeared at the door meowing to be fed was a black and white cat.
After discussing it with the wildlife wardens we found out it is Tom they have trapped, neutered and released deliberately into the forest. They said it keeps the rodents down. Red squirrels are a rodent so presumably that is why this is the first visit, after coming here every year for 12 years, that we have not seen one.
So AIBU to think if you are claiming to run a red squirrels reserve you should not allow cats inside the huge wire fences.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
Original poster
CrossAndTired · 16/11/2024 21:36

Let’s not turn this onto an anti cat thread, I just think something like foxes would be more appropriate.
There are big fences here and any greys sighted are trapped and removed so hope the pox doesn’t get in again.

OP posts:
Clearinguptheclutter · 16/11/2024 19:29

I think one stray cat is the least of the red squirrels’ problems

AuntyPonsonby · 16/11/2024 18:59

CrossAndTired · 16/11/2024 15:39

This is my cat at home with a grey squirrel, much larger than the reds here. My cat does this alot and is fed very well.
Why else have we not seen any squirrels, surely if the scent of a cat deters mice and rats it will also deter squirrels.

Could he please give my cat lessons! We've had to resort to other means of squirrel control, we were really overrun a couple of years ago.

DanielaDressen · 16/11/2024 18:57

MousePolice · 16/11/2024 17:47

I live with in a few miles of Whinfell and the grey squirrel population has exploded. We used to see reds all the time in our garden but we saw greys for the first time this year. It’s nothing to do with one stray cat.

I e seen greys down borrowdale for the first time ever. Sadly I think days are numbered for the Reds in The Lakes.

LetsDefrostMariahCarey · 16/11/2024 18:53

Spondoolies · 16/11/2024 18:21

Can’t believe you’re up in arms about this when you have a cat at home that kills wildlife

This!!

There are laws in parts of Australia that say you have to keep cats indoors or you can be fined (and they are thankfully looking into it in states where it's not currently the law). It's legal for other people to capture roaming cats and give them to the authorities who will fine you and charge you to get your cat back. They kill birds and other wildlife and are a damn nuisance.

So, OP, it's bloody hypocritical to whine about a couple of strategically placed cats in an extortionate tourist park, while you let your irritating predator kill your local wildlife without any thought for it.

banananapancake · 16/11/2024 18:25

Spondoolies · 16/11/2024 18:21

Can’t believe you’re up in arms about this when you have a cat at home that kills wildlife

Ahh but that's a different colour squirrel

banananapancake · 16/11/2024 18:24

CrossAndTired · 16/11/2024 16:48

We put out monkey nuts for the red squirrels and we normally see them every time we are at the lodge. We place the nuts on the floor so that is where we see them, not in the trees. We haven’t seen them once from our lodge but just out walking did see one in a different area of the forest.
I won’t come back to whinfell despite having been here at least once per year for the last 12 years. The red squirrels are the USP of Whinfell over other center parcs locations.

You're complaining of the lack of red squirrels? They're endangered aren't they?

Spondoolies · 16/11/2024 18:21

Can’t believe you’re up in arms about this when you have a cat at home that kills wildlife

BehindTheSequinsandStilettos · 16/11/2024 18:03

Aw OP I can and do understand your frustration. If it's pox though, population will be decimated. I feel the same about Formby Red Squirrel Sanctuary.
The National Trust have been less than transparent on their site about how many squirrels there (so so many died but this hasn't been made clear by the NT).

sherbertcandy · 16/11/2024 17:51

I don't think it's a bad idea really as with there being a lot of people like yourself putting nuts etc out for wildlife this does encourage other wildlife like mice and rats.

countrygirl99 · 16/11/2024 17:49

CrossAndTired · 16/11/2024 16:48

We put out monkey nuts for the red squirrels and we normally see them every time we are at the lodge. We place the nuts on the floor so that is where we see them, not in the trees. We haven’t seen them once from our lodge but just out walking did see one in a different area of the forest.
I won’t come back to whinfell despite having been here at least once per year for the last 12 years. The red squirrels are the USP of Whinfell over other center parcs locations.

No wonder they need a cat to deal with me and rats if people are putting monkey nuts out.

Original poster
CrossAndTired · 16/11/2024 17:47

I only brought loose nuts, I suppose I could go get my car and drive about looking for a shop but have better things to do, like mumsnetting.

OP posts:
MousePolice · 16/11/2024 17:47

I live with in a few miles of Whinfell and the grey squirrel population has exploded. We used to see reds all the time in our garden but we saw greys for the first time this year. It’s nothing to do with one stray cat.

Littletreefrog · 16/11/2024 17:46

CrossAndTired · 16/11/2024 17:42

@Littletreefrog I didn’t bring a ladder on holiday with me, nor any tools to secure a squirrel feeder, maybe the rangers should do that.
@TheCumbrian not because I saw a cat, because I haven’t seen the wildlife I normally see. Not even many birds about.

Ooh you are cross and tired aren't you. I'm sure without a ladder you can reach a low hanging branch. But never mind just keep being grumpy because you've seen a cat

CherryBombe · 16/11/2024 17:42

CrossAndTired · 16/11/2024 16:48

We put out monkey nuts for the red squirrels and we normally see them every time we are at the lodge. We place the nuts on the floor so that is where we see them, not in the trees. We haven’t seen them once from our lodge but just out walking did see one in a different area of the forest.
I won’t come back to whinfell despite having been here at least once per year for the last 12 years. The red squirrels are the USP of Whinfell over other center parcs locations.

I'm sure they won't miss you don't worry!

Original poster
CrossAndTired · 16/11/2024 17:42

@Littletreefrog I didn’t bring a ladder on holiday with me, nor any tools to secure a squirrel feeder, maybe the rangers should do that.
@TheCumbrian not because I saw a cat, because I haven’t seen the wildlife I normally see. Not even many birds about.

OP posts:
Littletreefrog · 16/11/2024 17:38

CrossAndTired · 16/11/2024 16:48

We put out monkey nuts for the red squirrels and we normally see them every time we are at the lodge. We place the nuts on the floor so that is where we see them, not in the trees. We haven’t seen them once from our lodge but just out walking did see one in a different area of the forest.
I won’t come back to whinfell despite having been here at least once per year for the last 12 years. The red squirrels are the USP of Whinfell over other center parcs locations.

Well if you put the nuts on the floor you are encouraging the squirrels out of their safe place to eat them so how about hang them in the trees where the squirrels would much prefer them and the cats can't get them.

TheCumbrian · 16/11/2024 17:04

CrossAndTired · 16/11/2024 16:48

We put out monkey nuts for the red squirrels and we normally see them every time we are at the lodge. We place the nuts on the floor so that is where we see them, not in the trees. We haven’t seen them once from our lodge but just out walking did see one in a different area of the forest.
I won’t come back to whinfell despite having been here at least once per year for the last 12 years. The red squirrels are the USP of Whinfell over other center parcs locations.

Because you have seen a cat!? I live not too far from Whinfell and our red squirrel population has plummeted this year because of squirrel pox.

It's got nothing to do with cats!

mitogoshigg · 16/11/2024 16:57

It's the time of year and temperature, they will be lying low (or high to be more accurate) conserving energy and eating their store

TheCovetedDuchessRose · 16/11/2024 16:54

We have been to Whinfell twice in the past year and seen plenty of red squirrels. We have seen a cat once or twice but the squirrels a lot .

Original poster
CrossAndTired · 16/11/2024 16:48

We put out monkey nuts for the red squirrels and we normally see them every time we are at the lodge. We place the nuts on the floor so that is where we see them, not in the trees. We haven’t seen them once from our lodge but just out walking did see one in a different area of the forest.
I won’t come back to whinfell despite having been here at least once per year for the last 12 years. The red squirrels are the USP of Whinfell over other center parcs locations.

OP posts:
MouseMama · 16/11/2024 16:38

Red and grey squirrels behave differently. Grey squirrels spend a lot more time on the forest floor. Red squirrels mainly live up in the canopy. It’s one of the reasons that reds are more sensitive to changes in their environment as they need a density of pine trees in order to move around a woodland/forest.

Therefore as cats are not well suited to hunting from high up within trees I think it’s unlikely that cats would be a serious threat to red squirrels.

Prescottdanni123 · 16/11/2024 16:34

If greys (and therefore squirrel pox) are in Whinfell that is why you haven't seen any. Squirrel pox is a horrific, very contagious and fast spreading disease.

pinkroses79 · 16/11/2024 16:14

My cat is an avid hunter and can catch mice and rats on a daily basis but has never caught a squirrel despite often chasing after them. I appreciate some cats manage to, but I doubt the cat at Center Parcs is a serious danger to the squirrels there.

Swipe left for the next trending thread