Cumbria's own native wildlife will be under the microscope during half-term.

Cumbria Wildlife Week has been run during October half term for many years.

Here at the Lake District Wildlife Park we are home to hundreds of exotic animals, including zebras and anacondas, however this week is about celebrating our native wildlife!

Barn owls, tawny owls, bats, hedgehogs, otters, badgers, foxes, red squirrels, reptiles, amphibians and insects are all found on the wider Armathwaite Hall estate.

The main aim of the week has always been to inspire both adults and children to appreciate the fantastic wildlife we have in Cumbria.

With artefacts including animal skulls, teeth, feathers, footprints and even animal poo, visitors can learn how amazing wildlife really is! With the help of our education officer people can learn how much fun it is to become a Nature Detective.

Over the past few years, visitors have made bird feeders, examined pearl mussel shells, and learnt how Dave the dung beetle and his friends live in our very own Cumbrian fields!

This year we will have plenty of information and displays about how amazing the wildlife in Cumbria is. Our education officer Lucy Dunn will be on hand to show you our collection of teeth, bones, owl pellets, scat, feathers and much more.

We also have examples of simple autumn crafts and tips on how to make your own special Nature Journal.

Lucy said: “Cumbria Wildlife Week is my favourite week of the year as I get to talk all about the amazing wildlife we have on our doorstep.

"This year we have made some changes to help keep our visitors safe and we will be maintaining social distancing.

"However, people are still able to have a fun and educational day out.

"Seeing the delight on a child’s face when they look at an otter tooth or a barn owl pellet containing tiny mammal bones is just brilliant!”