In 2007, the Anglesey Red Squirrel Project began the exciting challenge of reintroducing red squirrels back into a broadleaved woodland near Beaumaris. A generous grant from Isle of Anglesey County Council enabled us to purchase a webcam and a high-tech remote infra-red video camera and waterproof housing and so we are able to bring the released red squirrels direct to our friends and supporters online.

The latest red squirrel release

Red squirrels died out in the southern broadleaved woodlands of Anglesey in the late 1980s. The rich mozaic of hedgerows, hardwood plantations and ancient woodlands became home to the non-native grey squirrel. Through a successful control program, the grey squirrels were removed, and an opportunity to reinstate the indigenous red squirrel was at hand.

In October of 2006, four young red squirrels were brought to a woodland, held in cages for a few weeks and released. Two animals sadly died of lung-worm, the remaining two settled happily. A third squirrel was released in early 2007, and all three animals were found fit and well on May 30th of that year. During August, two females were obtained from Wildwood in Kent and released, followed by a reabilitated adult male in the summer of 2008.

To date six squirrels, three females and three males, have been released. Animals have been seen in the woodlands near Beaumaris including gardens at Coed Bach, Nant, Wrexham Street & Cae Mawr Estate in Beaumaris, and lately, Lladegfan and Coed Cyrnol woodlands many kilometres from the release site.

Three youngsters were caught in late July at two seperate locations, an indication of successful breeding. A total of seven animals were caught, but sightings of animals elsewhere indicate that other animals are also around. Though the population is small, the animals are very active and are frequent visitors to feeders located in the woodlands.

Strong community support has allowed red squirrels to be brought back from extinction on Anglesey. The reintroductions are challenging, but we hope that they will ultimately make Anglesey, once again, red squirrel country. Please become a member of our Friends Group.

You can join today online or join today by post and help us give the island reds a sustainable future.