Woodland management and tree selection guidance
The red squirrel is an arboreal mammal and around 70% of its active foraging time is spent in the woodland canopy. The bulk of the diet is obtained within the canopy (principally tree seed, fruits, flowers and buds) and it's nests known as 'dreys' are also constructed there.
It is therefore unsurprising that the type of management carried out with woodland habitats will have a large bearing upon any resident red squirrel population.
On Anglesey, red squirrels are found in many broadleaved woodlands and also the two large conifer plantations - Newborough Forest and the Mynydd Llwydiarth (Pentreath) plantation. If red squirrels are to persist on the island, and indeed to thrive here, then the careful management of sites is critical.
Clearfelling and thinning of woodland stands
The first important point to make relating to any tree felling, is that it should not be carried out during the part of the red squirrel breeding season when young squirrels are in nests. This is typically from February through to early October.
The second key point is that individual woodland operations must be part of a clearly defined strategy to conserve red squirrels. This should cover thinning and replanting schedules and it is important that when choosing new young trees to plant that species are selected which when mature will provide favourable foraging habitat for red squirrels.
Thinning can benefit red squirrels providing it is carried out carefully. It is true that it can produce indvidual trees with deeper crowns and which yield larger seed crops. But it is equally the case that heavy thinning can fragment the canopy to such an extent that red squirrels find it difficult to move from tree to tree and so may not use the area.
Which tree species will benefit red squirrels?
The following tree species are particularly beneficial to red squirrels:
Broadleaved trees: Sweet chestnut, oak, hazel, European walnut, cherry, European beech, horse chestnut and lime.
Coniferous trees: Scots pine, European larch, yew, Serbian spruce, Macedonian pine, Norway spruce and Douglas fir.
The following tree spcies are not useful for red squirrels and should be used occasionally within planting mixes:
Broadleaved trees: birch, alder, willow and crab apple.
The Welsh Government have produced planting guidance for Anglesey which encourages the use of Sweetchestnut and other large seed size producing broadleaved and coniferous trees: Download Glastir Guidance
The Trust are more than happy to provide guidance and advice to woodland owners.
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A Message of Support from Iolo Williams - TV Presenter, Wildlife Expert and our Patron
"I remember red squirrels being common around my home in the village of Llanwddyn in north Montgomeryshire but when I return these days, I see nothing but greys. I have followed the success of the Anglesey red squirrel project with great interest because it is so heartening to see the reds striking back. Thanks to the dedication of a few individuals, our native squirrel can once more be seen in several Anglesey woodlands and eventually, I would love to see greys eradicated from the whole of Britain. This is unlikely to happen in my lifetime but with the work on Anglesey going from strength to strength, at least there is some hope for future generations."
Help Support The Work Of The Friends
The Friends are a vital interface between the local community and countryside agencies involved in red squirrel conservation. We raise the profile of the Anglesey red squirrels, publicise the work that is being done to protect them, and identify factors that threaten their survival.
Current membership subscription rates are £10 per person.
Click here for a printable application form making a Cheque payable to:
'The Friends of the Anglesey Red Squirrels Trust' .
Send your cheque, with your name and address, to:
The Friends of the Anglesey Red Squirrels
Plas Newydd
LlanfairPG
Anglesey
LL61 6DQ
Where can you see red squirrels?
1. Llyn Parc Mar Car Parc Newborough Forest (SH413671)
Directions - From the A55, follow the A4080 to Newborough village, continue through the village in the direction of Malltraeth. Once the forest is on either side of the roads there is a signposted car park on the right (Wildlife Pool). There are three red squirrel feeders in the car park area. The woodland is owned by the Welsh Government and access is free here.
Red squirrels were reintroduced to the extensive pine forest in 2004-2007.
2. Plas Newydd (National Trust Property) (SH520700)
Directions - From the A55, follow the A4080 for 3km and the property is on the left and is well signposted.
Red squirrels were introduced to the park and gardens in 2008 and are quite widespread if a little elusive. The gardens to the west of the house are the best location to see red squirrels and there are several feeders.
For details of admission price and opening times visit the National Trust Website.
Current membership subscription rates are £10 per person.
3. Treborth Botanical Gardens (SH550712)
Directions - From the A5 in Gwynedd, take the left turn immediatly before the Menai Suspension Bridge. Follow the narrow road past the small industrial units and to the Treborth lodge. The road then passes through broadleaved woodland and there are several car parking bays (free).
Newsletters
In the period 2003-2007 we produced three bilingual Welsh/English newsletters per annum. From 2012 the newsletter will once again be in both languages and will be available to download.
Autumn 2011 - Download Newsletter
Summer 2011 - Download Newsletter
Spring 2011 - Download Newsletter
Autumn 2010 - Download Newsletter
Contact Information
General Enquiries & Voluntering- Mail@redsquirrels.info
Education & Public Events - Branwen@redsquirrels.info
Membership Enquiries - Mail@redsqirrels.info
Report grey squirrel sightings - Craig@redsquirrels.info (07966150847)
In the event that a sick or dead red squirrel is found please contact us immediatly (07966150847). If a body can be collected, please use gloves and place the remains in a plastic bag. We will collect and pass to our veterinary pathologists for post mortem and viral screening.
Our postal address is:
The Friends of the Anglesey Red Squirrels Trust
Plas Newydd
LlanfairPG
Anglesey
LL61 6DQ
Latest News
Dec 2011 - Red squirrel road casualties continue to rise. The hotspots are A4080 Newborough forest, A4080 Plas Newydd, A545 Menai Bridge to Beaumaris, B5109 Beaumaris, A5025 Plas Gwyn/Pentraeth and A5025 Llanallgo/Lligwy.
Anyone finding a dead red squirrel should report it to the project immediatly on 07966150847 (24hrs).
Dec 2011 - Nine red squirrels were trapped in the Cae Glas coniferous plantations within the Penrhos Coastal Park near Holyhead.
Nov 2011 - We have successfully applied for over a thousand Beech, Hazel, Sweetchestnut, Cherry and Hawthorn trees as part of the Woodland Trust Jubilee Celebrations. These will be planted at our Clyddyn Community Woodland in the Pentraeth forest.
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Latest Events
Dec 2011 - Gwynedd Trap Loan Scheme is underway and 22 traps have been provided to homeowners and estates to control grey squirrels.
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