Press Release – for general release

17th November 2015

Red Squirrels – Caught on Camera!

“Have you seen a red squirrel in mid Wales lately?”

That’s the question that Wildlife Trust Red Squirrel Officer, Becky Hulme is asking; and reports of sightings are coming in – many from the Llanfair Clydogau and Llanddwei Brefi areas.

Becky remarked: “People love seeing red squirrels in Wales; this native mammal really does make an impact with its striking russet coat and graceful movements. Many of the older generation remember seeing reds in on a regular basis; but that was back in the 1950s and early 60s before grey squirrels had really got a hold in mid Wales.”

Since the grey squirrel colonised, red squirrels have largely vanished from Wales. Until the late 1950s, the red squirrel was a common sight in mid Wales and an integral part of the Welsh landscape. In 1958, a schoolteacher from Rhandirmwyn stated that a child had come into school with a report of a grey squirrel, one of the first in the area! From then onwards it was downhill for the red squirrel, as the larger and more robust grey squirrel quickly moved into local woodlands, eating much of the available food and spreading squirrelpox virus, which the greys are immune to, but which is fatal to red squirrels. A law was passed in 1938 banning further importation of grey squirrels, but the damage had been done; inadvertently heralding the demise of the red squirrel in Britain.

We now have only a little over a thousand red squirrels hanging on in Wales, in Anglesey, in the north east of the country, and here in mid Wales. Anglesey is the real success-story in Wales; as part of a restoration project, they have cleared greys from the island and boosted the population of reds, thought to be as low as 40 individuals less than 20 years ago; Anglesey is now home to as many as 700 red squirrels. The Mid Wales Red Squirrel Project (MWRSP) is a much younger project than its northern counterpart, but with the help of funding, originally through Environment Wales, a former Welsh Government funded initiative, work is getting underway to save the population of reds in mid Wales too. “We know that we have a much-reduced population of reds in mid Wales, but we’re keen to get a better idea of where and when red squirrels are active, so that we can help to protect them, and that’s where local people come in.” Becky explained: “It is locals, both working and living in the mid Wales red squirrel focal site that are most likely to spot red squirrels, usually as they a cross a road or open ground.”

The area centred round Llyn Brianne reservoir, bordered by Pontrhydfendigaid, Tregaron, Lampeter, Llandovery and Llanwrtyd Wells, was approved as a focal site for red squirrel conservation in 2009. Welsh Ministers agreed that urgent strategic action needed to be taken in order to conserve the population of reds in this area.

“As one of only three significant populations of red squirrels in Wales, our reds in mid Wales really do deserve some attention.” Becky explained, “we hope to restore the population by reducing the population of grey squirrels and by working with Natural Resources Wales and private forest managers to encourage appropriate forest management.”

The red squirrel project on Anglesey is an extremely successful conservation project and is direct evidence that removing grey squirrels leads to red squirrel population recovery. However, Becky points out that this ambition can only be achieved with the support of local people. “Over the past year we’ve had over 80 people volunteer their time to help in the fight to save the red squirrel in mid Wales. Activities have ranged from help with publicity at shows and events to grey squirrel control to monitoring local red squirrel populations.”

A series of delightful photos from a trail camera located above Llanddewi Brefi show reds visiting a feeding station. “These photos really do illustrate the playful nature of these iconic mammals. It would be a real shame if we allowed our red squirrels become yet another extinction story.”

Report your sighting through the MWRSP website, www.midwalesredsquirrels.org or directly to Becky on 07972 201202 / [email protected]

ENDS

Notes for editors:

Contact: Becky Hulme [email protected] or 07972 201202 or Lizzie Wilberforce [email protected] / 07970 780553

Photos are for one time use only.

1. & 2. Red Squirrel at a feeding station near Llanddewi Brefi

Description

Red squirrels’ body size is up to 25 cm, with the tail measures adding a further 20 cm. They are significantly smaller than the more abundant grey squirrel. Red squirrels have fur which varies from fine russet or chestnut colour in summer to dark brown or even greyish in winter, although there is a great deal of variation in individual coat colours. Bleaching can occur of the ear tufts and tail. They also have a white belly and pointed ear tufts, which are a distinctive feature of red squirrels. In winter, the ear tufts are more prominent. Distribution

Once common throughout the UK, red squirrels have disappeared from many areas of England and Wales and are threatened in Scotland and Northern Ireland. They are now largely confined to Scotland, areas of North and Mid Wales, Northern Ireland and parts of England (Northumberland and Cumbria still have good populations), Brownsea Island and the Isle of Wight.

The three focal populations in Wales are on Anglesey, in the Clocaenog Forest in north Wales, and our population in mid Wales. Other, smaller pockets may persist but their long term future is unknown.

Our website: www.midwalesredsquirrels.org

The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales is the largest charitable organisation working exclusively on all aspects of wildlife conservation in south and west Wales. The Wildlife Trust works for a better future for all kinds of wildlife across south and west Wales. Our mission is to protect and improve habitats and wildlife in our local area as well as helping people to enjoy and understand their local wildlife. Our vision is for an environment rich in wildlife for everyone. www.welshwildlife.org

We achieve this through: Acquiring and managing nature reserves - we currently manage around 85 nature reserves throughout South and West Wales (including Skomer and Skokholm islands). From ancient woodland to wetland, wildflower meadow to marsh, reed bed to heathland, they contain a rich variety of species, many extremely rare. These nature reserves form a land holding equal to approximately 4,000 acres. Of these reserves10 lie within Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas, seven are National Nature Reserves (NNRs), 40 are Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and five are Scheduled Ancient Monuments. Acting as wildlife champions - by advising on policy and planning, campaigning on wildlife issues, and protecting wildlife beyond our reserves. We provide habitat and species management advice directly to those managing land and we also work with key partners and local people to promote habitat enhancement and restoration. Helping people understand, protect and celebrate their environment - the Trust promotes the view that people from all sections of society should have access to wildlife and the natural world for enjoyment, learning, and well-being. We invest in the future by helping all ages to gain a better understanding of nature. Our work with schools and our junior club, Wildlife Watch, is enjoyed by hundreds of children. Wildlife Trusts Wales is the umbrella body for the six local Wildlife Trusts in Wales. Its role is to protect wildlife and wild places for future generations. Visit www.wtwales.org for more information. This network of local Wildlife Trusts is the largest voluntary organisation in Wales dedicated to protecting wildlife and wild places. Together it manages 216 nature reserves covering more than 8,000 hectares, and is supported by 23,000 members. Wildlife Trusts Wales is also part of the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, a network of 47 Wildlife Trusts that cover the whole of the UK with a total membership of more than 800,000.