CBEB Species Statements

Species statements for selected key species that occur in Cumbria. The below PDFs provide information on:

  • Legal and Conservation Status
  • Habitat
  • Ecology
  • Distribution
  • Conservation Issues
  • Planning Considerations
  • Enhancement Opportunities
  • Further information and Contacts
  • Current Action in Cumbria

  • BARN OWL Tyto alba
    Barn Owls, their nests and eggs are protected by UK legislation. The greatest threats to Barn Owl populations in Cumbria are loss of suitable nests sites through barn conversions etc., and lack or loss of feeding habitat through agricultural intensification.

    Download Statement v3.0 Oct 2016

  • BATS (ALL SPECIES) Chiroptera
    Bats and their roosting sites are protected by European and UK legislation. The greatest threat to bats comes from loss of roosts due to demolition, alteration and repair of buildings or structures, felling of trees, and through direct disturbance of breeding and hibernation roosts.

    Download Statement v3.0 Oct 2016

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  • GREAT CRESTED NEWT Triturus cristatus
    Great Crested Newts and their breeding and foraging habitats are protected by UK and European legislation. The greatest threat to Great Crested Newt in Cumbria is destruction of their ponds and surrounding terrestrial habitat.

    Download Statement v3.0 Oct 2016

  • hen-harrier
  • HEN HARRIER Circus cynaeus
    Hen Harriers, their nests and eggs are protected by UK and European legislation. In Cumbria the greatest planning-related threat to Hen Harriers arises from developments which threaten specific breeding and winter roost locations.

    Download Statement v3.0 Oct 2016

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  • NATTERJACK TOAD Epidalea calamita
    Natterjack Toads and their breeding sites are protected by UK and European legislation. Inappropriate or lack of management is currently the greatest threat to the Natterjack Toad at its existing sites in Cumbria

    Download Statement v3.0 Sept 2016

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  • OTTER Lutra lutra
    The Otter, its holts and resting places are protected by UK and European legislation. The greatest threats to Otters come from habitat loss, often associated with watercourse development, road mortality and water pollution, and disturbance.

    Download Statement v3.0 Oct 2016

  • RED SQUIRREL  Sciurus vulgaris
    Red Squirrels and their dreys are protected by UK legislation. The greatest threat to Red Squirrels is the spread of the non-native Grey Squirrel which competes for food and carries disease.

    Download Statement v3.0 Oct 2016

  • REPTILES (ALL NATIVE SPECIES) Reptilia
    Four reptile species are found in Cumbria: Common Lizard Lacerta vivipara, Slow-worm Anguis fragilis (a legless lizard), Grass Snake Natrix natrix and Adder Vipera berus. All are protected by UK legislation. The greatest threats to reptiles in Cumbria are from habitat loss and fragmentation due to unsympathetic management and development.

    Download Statement v3.0 Oct 2016

  • SMALL BLUE BUTTERFLY Cupido minimus
    The Small Blue butterfly is particularly vulnerable to the loss of habitat through development of brownfield sites or through scrub encroachment leading to the loss of kidney vetch, its food plant.

    Download Statement v3.0 Oct 2016

  • WATER VOLE Arvicola terrestris
    Water Voles and anywhere they use for shelter or resting are protected by UK legislation. The greatest threat to Water Vole populations is through loss of suitable habitat through agricultural intensification and predation by the non-native mink.

    Download Statement v3.0 Oct 2016

  • WINTERING GEESES & SWANS
    Pink-footed Geese, Barnacle Geese and Whooper Swans winter or pass through Cumbria mainly between September and early May. They are protected by UK and European legislation. The greatest threat to these species comes from development that affects their feeding grounds, especially wind farms.

    Download Statement v3.0 Oct 2016

Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre

The Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre at Tullie House Museum, Carlisle keeps wildlife information for the county of Cumbria. Tullie House Museum, in its role as a local natural history museum, has collected and disseminated records of wildlife in Cumbria since its inception in 1893. From the early 1990s the Museum has developed a computerised database of species and habitat records in Cumbria and has taken the central role in providing a local biodiversity data service for the county. This role was restyled as Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre (CBDC) in 2010, a not-for-profit organisation hosted by Tullie House Museum and advised by local stakeholders.
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreTuesday, April 1st, 2025 at 10:59pm
CBDC will be speaking at Bothel Community Wildlife Group next Tuesday, 8th April, ahead of the Bioblitz in May. Come along to find out more about recording, what makes a good record, how records are used to inform decision making across the county and what tools are available to help you on your recording journey! Naturalist Polly Pullar will be the main speaker of the evening....
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreMonday, March 31st, 2025 at 9:47pm
Looking forward to speaking @Tullie Lunchtime Talk today!
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreFriday, March 28th, 2025 at 10:55pm
First bluebell of the year!
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreFriday, March 28th, 2025 at 4:39am
We'll be speaking about Cumbria Wild Watch at the next @Tullie Free Lunchtime Talk so come along to find out more! 1pm on 1st April

Book your free place: https://tullie.org.uk/events/cumbria-wild-watch-free-lunchtime-talk/
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreTuesday, March 25th, 2025 at 10:02pm
The countdown to Cumbria Wild Watch 2025 begins today!

In three months time, the largest community science survey in Cumbria will take place. You can get involved by recording all the wildlife you see between 26-29 June 2025. So mark this weekend on your calendars and watch out for more information of how to take part over the coming weeks.
Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre
Cumbria Biodiversity Data CentreTuesday, March 25th, 2025 at 12:31am
It is officially spring and we are now looking forward to our recording days (and bioblitzes) this year. The programme is on our website and you can book a place/express an interest in attending these events - all are welcome to come along and practice your wildlife recording skills.

https://www.cbdc.org.uk/get-involved/recording-days/

More events will be added as they are confirmed.