Taking a walk out in a wood or forest you are most likely to spot a Squirrel. More often it will probably be a Grey Squirrel, which has taken over a good proportion of the UK and has helped in the reduction in numbers of our native Red Squirrel. There are however some protected areas where only the Red Squirrels are, such as Formby, Isle of Wight, Anglesey and Brownsea Island (there are other areas as well).
There are two species of squirrel in the UK; Red Squirrels and Grey Squirrels. Populations are currently estimated at approximately 140,000 red squirrels and 2.5 million grey squirrels. Red squirrels are our native species and have lived in the UK for around 10,000 years, Grey squirrels were introduced to the UK from North America by the Victorians in the 1800s, the first record of them escaping and establishing a wild population is 1876.
https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/saving-species/red-squirrels
Well there is actually another Squirrel that has made its way to the UK.
Black Squirrels are the result of “interbreeding” between their grey cousins and the North American fox squirrel, a study has concluded.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-49328867
There are thought to be around 25,000 Black Squirrels in the UK, with numbers largely concentrated in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire. The first wild Black Squirrel was recorded in Woburn in 1912, and was believed to have escaped from a private zoo having been imported from the United States.
Whilst out on Anglesey recently on a nature walk we went to several areas where Red Squirrels are regularly sighted. The first was Plas Newydd, which is a National Trust property and grounds. Unfortunately we were too late in the morning to spot any. You need to be up early to see them out for their morning forage.
Next we moved on to a Dingle Woodland where they are often spotted. We were up early enough to spot them and came across two near to some feeders that were placed in the area. Keeping our distance the only picture we managed to get this time was a bit blurred due to the phone camera zoom.
Its always great to see a Red Squirrel in its natural habitat.
Red Squirrels live in nests called Dreys or Dens. Dreys are built in broad-leaved and coniferous trees mainly, unless a Squirrel Box has been put up to encourage breeding. They normally build their nests at around 6 meters or more for protection or the thick canopy. Dens are built in the trunks or branch forks of deciduous trees after the leaves have fallen to protect the Squirrels from the elements.
A Red Squirrels Year
JANUARY – Peak mating chases. Male and female fully reproductively active. (Many males run over on roads whilst ranging in search of females).
FEBRUARY – First litters born. Females refurbish or build litter dreys.
MARCH – Peak spring litters born. 1-6 young, usually 3.
APRIL – Young squirrels first emerge from litter drey but do not yet leave it. Spring moult.
MAY – Spring litters weaned and leave litter drey to become independent.
JUNE – Light-weight summer dreys of grass start to appear, often built by new juveniles.
JULY – Peak summer litters born. Dispersal of spring young. Begin to grow new ear-tufts and hair tails.
AUGUST – Squirrels fatten for autumn on hazel. Moult into winter coat.
SEPTEMBER – Male squirrel testes regress. Summer juveniles become independent.
OCTOBER – Dispersal of summer young. Males inactive.
NOVEMBER – Male squirrels start to become reproductively active as testes descend into scrotum and grow.
DECEMBER – Young squirrels near full size; spring young may become reproductively active for next season – particularly males. Adulty males capable of fertilizing females. First females in oestrous at end of month.
Squirrels by Jessica Holm – Whittet Books
The picture above is one I took a few years back whilst on holiday in a Centre Parcs near Perth. The Red Squirrels loved the bird feed that we left out.
Typically they will eat:
- Cached food
- Catkins
- Flowers (e.g. Blackthorn and Oak)
- Fungi
- Hips
- Insects
- Seeds – Acorns, Beachnuts etc
- Shoots
- Tree Bark
Squirrels also peel back bark to eat the sweet sap beneath.
The main threats to the Red Squirrel are Humans and Grey Squirrels.
The grey squirrel is the main reason for the decline of the red squirrel. Habitat loss has also contributed to the red squirrel’s decline. This occurs when areas of woodland are destroyed or become separated by development and changing land-use. This leads to isolated areas which cannot sustain viable populations of wildlife, including red squirrels in some places. Squirrelpox virus is fatal to red squirrels but is carried by grey squirrels without causing them any harm.
https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/saving-species/red-squirrels
Other threats are predator’s such as Birds of Prey, Foxes, Pine Martins and Stoats.
Red squirrels that survive their first winter have a life expectancy of 3 years. Individuals may reach 7 years of age, and 10 in captivity. Survival is positively related to the availability of autumn-winter tree seeds; on average, 75–85% of juveniles die during their first winter, and mortality is approximately 50% for winters following the first.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_squirrel
I find the Red Squirrel a joy to spot and watch as they frolic around the tree canopies. Especially as I have so many greys near to me.
Sparrowhawk Bushcraft 