Red squirrels, with their distinctive russet fur and tufted ears, are one of the UK's best-loved species and a rare but captivating sight to behold.
They were recently named by The Mammal Society as being on the Red List of Britain’s endangered mammals, and experts have warned that without public support, the mammals could face imminent extinction.
It's estimated that the population is less than 40,000 in England, all of which are only found in a small number of areas.
The population faces increasing pressure from habitat loss, competition for food with non-native grey squirrels, and the Squirrelpox virus, which is fatal to red squirrels but can be carried by greys without causing them any harm.
The coronavirus pandemic has also impacted animal charities, with funding at a low point. Red Squirrel Awareness Week 2020 - which runs from 21st to 27th September - aims to highlight the animals' plight and celebrate the wonderful work of volunteer groups, organisations and projects striving to save them.
Here are ways in which you can help the red squirrels prosper and thrive:
What to feed red squirrels
Should a red squirrel visit your garden, you can leave some choice food items to supplement their diet.
UK garden wildlife supply company, Ark Wildlife, are the only supplier of red squirrel food in the UK and provide it to charities to support them in protecting the species.
The most suitable foods for red squirrels are:
- Hazelnuts
- Sunflower seeds
- Beech (cob) nuts
- Pine nuts
- Sweet chestnuts
- Walnuts
- Apples
- Carrots
- Bone meal to help provide extra calcium
Plant shrubs and trees
If you have outdoor space, plant shrubs and trees to create natural food sources, like raspberries, wild cherries and brambles for red squirrels.
Rachael Cripps, Red Squirrel Project Officer at The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside, shares her tips: "If people have them visiting their garden, ensure feed is only supplementary. Provide good variety and clean feeders regularly. Providing fresh water during hot weather is especially important."
If you have a feeding station, it's recommended to place them relatively high up, such as a few feet into a tree or on a high wall, to ensure that squirrels are less at risk from cats. Also make sure that a red squirrel doesn't have to cross open ground to get to them.
Be aware of grey squirrels
Red squirrels cannot co-exist with grey squirrels, as red squirrels could be exposed to Squirrelpox - so before feeding a red squirrel, make sure there are no grey ones in the vicinity. Ark Wildlife also advises against attracting red squirrels to your garden if nearby access is impeded, such as having to cross a busy road, as this also puts them in danger.
Find a red squirrel near you
As more of us are enjoying staycations in the UK, there's also been a surge of interest in spotting the increasingly rare native species on home shores.
Many of the sites across the North are within easy driving distance of Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle, while those living in London and the South need to travel a little further with the closest being the Isle of Wight or Dorset.
Support The National Trust by visiting a UK hotspot for red squirrels. The five remaining locations are: Northumberland, Cumbria, Formby, Isle of Wight and Brownsea Island.
On increasing your chances of spotting a red squirrel in the wild, Rachael Cripps advises: "When out in the woods, take the time to sit and listen. When you are quiet you will often hear a squirrel before you see it – running up a tree trunk, munching on pine cone, the thud of eaten pine cone cores falling from the canopy or chattering loudly at your presence.
"Report sightings of reds and greys to your local Red Squirrel Group or become a volunteer. There are also plenty of opportunities from surveying to fundraising that will help.”
Adopt a red squirrel
A number of Wildlife Trusts, including Dorset, South and West Wales, Scotland and are offering red squirrel adoption packs, which make wonderful Christmas, birthday or anniversary gifts.
Trusts offer slightly different tailored packs but from around £20, you can adopt a red squirrel and receive a special pack including certificate, fact sheet and soft toy.
Find out more here.
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8 native British animals to look out for in winter
Mountain hares
A true winter spectacle, mountain hares shed their brown fur in late November, turning their coats a blueish-white until April. This makes them much easier to spot running in the fields, especially to predators like Golden Eagles.
Where to spot them: The Peak District and Upper Pennines in England, Snowdonia in Wales and the Scottish Highlands.
Starlings
Starlings take centre stage at this time of year too. Marshlands and reed beds are transformed as thousands of birds return to roost. Before they bed down for the night, the starlings perform a special dance (known as a murmuration) in the sky at dusk. A seriously special sight.
Where to spot them: The RSPB has a helpful list of locations on its website.
Robins
With their bright red plumage, robins provide a much needed splash of colour in the winter months which can be easily spotted in gardens and on woodland walks. Listen out for their distinctive song from the trees and bushes as they hunt for worms.
Where to spot them: Gardens and woodland across the UK.
Woodlarks
A close relative of the very vocal skylark, the woodlark flexes its vocal chords in the winter months with a delicate and fluting song. February and March are when you're most likely to catch a glimpse.
Where to spot them: The New Forest, heaths in Surrey, Berkshire and Suffolk, Hampshire, Devon and East Anglia. Visit the RSPB website for more information, and to hear audio of their call.
Red squirrels
Red squirrel numbers are sadly in decline, but you can still catch a glimpse of this charming creature as they venture into nature reserves and woodlands to feed from bird tables and peanut feeders.
Where to spot them: Three-quarters of the dwindling population are found in Scotland and Ireland, along with the Isle of Wight, Dorset and Northumberland. The Wildlife Trust has a full list of locations on their website.
Short-eared owls
Owls are majestic yet elusive creatures. Now's the time to try and catch a rare glimpse of short-eared owls in the wild as they head to wetlands and coastal marshes in search of food. They're one of the few owls that hunts in daylight, and isn't put off by fellow birds, so you may well be in luck!
Where to spot them: WWT Wetland Centres can point you in the right direction. Try Slimbridge in Gloucestershire, or Leighton Moss in Lancashire.
Foxes
A short four-day mating season brings foxes out into the open with their distinctive piercing mating call. Some say it sounds like a scream, while others compare it to a howl, either way, you can't miss it!
Where to spot them: Wooded rural areas and urban backstreets after dark.
Green woodpecker
January and February are the nosiest months for this native bird as they nest in the trees to mate. The largest of the three British woodpeckers, their distinctive colour and call, along with their preference for feeding on the ground, means you should be able to catch a glimpse.
Where to spot them: In gardens and woodlands nationwide, except for the far north and west of Scotland and Ireland.
