Seeing red

The National Trust has added a series of free, downloadable walks showcasing one of the nation’s best-loved but most-threatened creatures: the exceptionally awesome red squirrel!

Once found throughout the UK, the distribution of these little fellas has declined dramatically in the last century due to the break-up of their traditional woodland habitats and the spread of the larger, more dominant North American grey – which also carries a virus that can affect red squirrels. As a result, red squirrels have only a few remaining habitats – mostly the coniferous forests of Scotland, Wales and Northern England, and two island populations – Brownsea Island in Dorset and the Isle of Wight.

“We look after some of the most important red squirrel habitats in the country, from Formby to Brownsea Island,” explains David Bullock, Head of Nature Conservation at the National Trust. “These red squirrel walks not only offer the chance to see these beautiful and rare creatures but also show how we are managing its land for the benefit for a wide range of wildlife.”

Top red squirrel spotting tips
You have a better chance of seeing red squirrels if you…

• look for them in the morning or later in the afternoon
• try not to make too much noise
• look up (they live in trees most of the time)
• listen for the falling bits&pieces from squirrels eating
• look for evidence of squirrels feeding around pine trees – they eat pine cones in a very distinctive way
• in autumn, look near sweet chestnut and beech trees – they love the nuts these trees produce
• stand still as soon as you spot one

Click on the links below to automatically download a PDF of the National Trusts’ red squirrel routes, or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/walks for a more complete list of walks…

• Borthwood Copse, Isle of Wight
  Located on the eastern side of the Isle of Wight, this one mile walk takes you through beautiful ancient oak woodland and in spring the woodland floor is carpeted with bluebells. For more information call ✆ 01983 741020.
• Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour, Dorset
  This 1.1-mile walk cuts through mixed and pine woodland on the east of the island, offering an excellent opportunity to see red squirrel conservation in action. With around 200 squirrels found here, this is one of the best locations in southern England to see the red squirrel. For more information call ✆ 01202 707744.
  
• Formby, Lancashire Coast
  This 1.8-mile walk through the pinewoods of Formby is the ideal place to see the famous Formby red squirrels. There is also a path to the unspoilt Sefton coastline with its golden sand dunes. For more  information call ✆ 01704 878591.
  
• Mount Stewart, County Down, Northern Ireland
  A 1.4-mile walk with exceptional views, beautiful formal gardens and beech, mixed and exotic woodland. You’ll catch a glimpse of the red squirrels scurrying around the property. For more information call ✆ 028 4278  8387.
  
• Wallington, Northumberland
  This 2-mile walk meanders through mixed woodland with a wildlife observatory hide, red squirrel feeders and  stunning views of the Wansbeck river valley and Shafto Crag escarpment. For more information call ✆ 01670 773967.
  

The National Trust is a partner organisation in the worldwide celebrations of 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity. For information on events, initiatives and exhibitions across the UK visit: www.biodiversityislife.net

Main image: Wikipedia Commons user ‘4028mdk09‘