The native red squirrel is now an uncommon sight in Wales. Mainland populations only survive in areas of extensive Sitka spruce dominated conifer plantation such as Clocaenog forest and some areas of Mid Wales. Anglesey now has red squirrels in conifer plantations but also in broadleaved woodland and gardens, the island is the Welsh stronghold for the red squirrel. We hope that this page will provide up to date information on red squirrels across Wales.

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Red squirrels in Wales

The most frequent questions that people ask is us, are Where are the red squirrels? and How many red squirrels are there in Wales?

The Map opposite shows the distribution of red squirrels in Wales. It shows sites where it is known that red squirrels still persist in RED, and sites where they may still exist, but where there is little information available, in GREEN. With the exception of the Anglesey woodlands, all the other (Mainland) red squirrel populations are mixed with grey squirrels. It is important to note that the map shows the whole of a woodland as RED, even if animals are only present in a small part of it.

So, just how many red squirrels are there in Wales today? The answer is that on Anglesey there are over 200 adult red squirrels, the majority living within Newborough or Pentraeth forests. In the autumn of 2008, it was estimated that there were at least 300 adults and young on the island.

Elsewhere, in Clocaenog there may be as many as 200 adults, but this is based on the assumption that animals exist in areas that have not been surveyed. This uncertainty naturally means that the population could be significantly smaller, or indeed, larger. It is hoped that future research will be able to provide a better picture for Clocaenog.

In Mid Wales, the population is spread between several large coniferous blocks and only a few localised surveys have been carried out. Almost 40 adult and young red squirrels were caught in 2005, and animals are still occassionally seen in many areas of woodland. Just how many reds exist in Mid Wales is a question that may be answered with future research.

Grey squirrels pose the biggest threat to indigenous red squirrels, and it is hoped that steps will be taken to remove the greys from all woodlands containing reds. On Anglesey, fewer than 100 grey squirrels exist today, numbers may well be as low as 50. Red squirrels are returning to woodlands throughout the south of the island, and what ever happens elsewhere in Wales, Anglesey has the best chance of not only conserving the red squirrel, but actually turning around it's fortunes.

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