The Seventh Report of The Trustees of The
Esmé Kirby Snowdonia Trust

THE REDS RETURN

'Over the years we have frequently written about the campaign to restore the red squirrel to Anglesey. The conservation programme has already met with considerable success, with the red squirrel population gradually spreading throughout the conifer plantation of Mynydd Llwydiarth. As we reported last year, some animals are now also regular visitors to gardens adjacent to the pine forest. However, it now appears unlikely that red squirrels will disperse to many areas of woodland further a field.

Why is this? Well, the plantation is relatively isolated and has no substantial woodland corridors connecting it to other large forests. Although grey squirrels appear quite prepared to cross wide areas of open habitat, the smaller red squirrel is less inclined to travel through areas where tree cover is patchy. This is of course a slight handicap to our aim ‘To make Anglesey, once again, red squirrel country', but, in our determined way, a solution has eventually been found.

Pilot re-introduction study

At the time of writing, a total of 6,000 grey squirrels have been removed from Anglesey and the adjacent mainland estates. Grey squirrel numbers have been reduced to a fraction of their original, and only a few stubborn pockets of resistance remain. With grey squirrels now relatively scarce, there is an opportunity to carry out a pilot study to examine the merits of re-introducing red squirrels to some of the island's larger woodlands. This work will involve a range of organisations that include The Welsh Mountain Zoo, Menter Môn, The Countryside Council for Wales and Forest Enterprise. The work also has the support of the North Wales Wildlife Trust, Country Landowners Association and the Friends of the Anglesey Red Squirrels with its membership of nearly 300 local people.

As you will fully understand, the sensitive nature of this work means that we cannot yet reveal the location of the release site. However, the woodland has been carefully selected and thorough technical plans written. Let us therefore briefly outline the plan of operations.

Several pairs of captive-bred adult red squirrels will be placed within large enclosures located within woodland on Anglesey. The animals will have everything that they need and it is hoped that they will settle in quickly and eventually breed. Once any offspring have weaned, they will then be allowed to move out of the cages into the surrounding habitat. Nest boxes, and well-provisioned feeding platforms, will always be within easy reach. Some of the young will have special electronic radio-tags fitted so that they can be located and their behaviour monitored. Once settled, these young squirrels may eventually breed in the wild during following years. Their offspring would be the first red squirrels to be born in the woodland for almost a decade.

Scientific advice

The re-introduction scheme really is an exciting prospect and we are delighted that Dr Robert Kenward accepted an invitation to become the independent scientific advisor for the project. Robert has many years of practical experience with both red and grey squirrels, and his expertise will be invaluable. Nick Jackson, the Director of the Welsh Mountain Zoo, will oversee the care of captive red squirrels, and with the support of the established trapping team, there is high confidence that the reds will quickly re-colonise the site.

We are sure that Esmé would have been delighted with this latest venture.'

The Trustees of the Esmé Kirby Snowdonia Trust June 2003

If you would like to support this and the other work of the Trust you can contact them at:

The Esmé Kirby Snowdonia Trust

“ Working for Snowdonia ” c/o Pen y Gwryd Hotel, Nant Gwynant, Gwynedd, North Wales. LL55 4NT