Red Squirrel

The Red Squirrel is the only squirrel which is native to the UK and can be found in both conifer forests and broadleaved woodland. Its future is increasingly uncertain as the introduced Grey Squirrel expands its range across the mainland. There are estimated to be only 140,000 Red Squirrels left in Britain compared with over 2.5 million Grey Squirrels.

The Red Squirrel’s distribution has declined drastically in the last 60 years and they are now extinct in southern England except for a few on the Isle of Wight and two small islands in Poole Harbour. Elsewhere they are confined to rather isolated populations in Wales and to only four places in central England: Thetford Chase (East Anglia), Cannock Chase (Staffordshire), Hope Forest (Derbyshire) and around Formby in Merseyside.

Red Squirrels are still widespread in Northern England and Scotland but even here their range is contracting.

This Red Squirrel was a regular daily visitor to the trees surrounding our holiday cottage in Insh.

Date: 15th May 2005

Location: Insh, Inverness-shire