Anglesey on Red Alert

The red squirrel has continued a remarkable comeback on Anglesey as the result of a ground-breaking island project. This autumn conservationists predict that there will be 150 adults and young in Newborough forest, and a similar number established elsewhere on the island making Anglesey the Welsh red squirrel stronghold.

The red squirrel faced extinction from the island in 1997 when a community-based project led by Menter Môn set out to turn around the fortunes of this enchanting woodland mammal. The flagship project has removed more than 7000 of the non-native grey squirrels and today fewer than 50 greys remain on Anglesey . In response to the cull, red squirrel numbers have increased dramatically, and the species is set to return to woodlands all across the island.

During the summer months, red squirrels began to appear in gardens across the south east of Anglesey , much to the delight of local householders. Animals have also been recorded in woodlands near Red Wharf Bay and within the Cors Eddreiniog National Nature Reserve. But it is the spectacular increase in red squirrel numbers in Newborough forest that has captivated both local people and visitors to the island alike. Red squirrels can now be found throughout the forest following their initial reintroduction and release in 2004, and more than twenty litters were born earlier this year.

Dr Craig Shuttleworth, Woodland Ecologist at Menter Môn said,

“ 2008 has turned into a fantastic year for red squirrels on the island of Anglesey, not only has the Newborough reintroduction been an amazing success, but red squirrels are now regular visitors to gardens in Llandegfan, Beaumaris and Llanddona .”

“ Anglesey is now the Welsh stronghold for this endangered mammal, an island haven, and we aim to increase red squirrel numbers further over the next few years through a series of additional reintroductions. ”

In 2003 the Welsh Assembly owned Newborough forest contained more than 500 non-native grey squirrels and red squirrels were extinct from the coastal pine woodland. However, in a first for modern times, conservationists were able to successfully reintroduce red squirrels, on this occasion using animals obtained from Zoos across the UK . Previous attempts at reintroducing red squirrels elsewhere in Britain , including the UK Government funded ‘Species Recovery' project in Thetford forest, had been unsuccessful because levels of grey squirrel control were inadequate to prevent recolonisation of woodlands.

Under European Conventions, the Welsh Assembly Government has a duty to control non-native animals or plants where they threaten the survival of native species, and also to halt the loss of our biodiversity. The attempt to eradicate the grey squirrel from Anglesey, and subsequent restoration of the native red squirrel, are significant milestones towards the Government achieving its biodiversity targets for Wales .

Dr Hugh Knott, Environmental Team Leader at Menter Môn said,

‘ Conserving the biodiversity of Anglesey can be challenging, but through a vibrant partnership with local landowners we have been able to re-establish the red squirrel. Menter Môn is also helping conserve less iconic, but equally vulnerable species, the Water Vole, by preventing the North American Mink from colonising the island, and we are working to ensure that Anglesey remains a haven for Welsh mammals.'

In Wales there are no dedicated sites where the public has an opportunity to see red squirrels in the wild, Newborough forest now offers that chance, providing the woodland is managed in a manner that is sympathetic to the habitat requirements of the arboreal mammal.

Dr Raj Jones, Chairman of the Friends of the Anglesey Red Squirrels said,

“ We are absolutely delighted that red squirrels are now doing so well. To now have red squirrels in Beaumaris is an incredible achievement and we hope that this is the beginning of red squirrels returning across Anglese y . I recently watched a red squirrel feeding at a bird table in a garden near Menai Bridge , it was amazing to see the acrobatics of the little creature as it moved through the treetops, and understandably the home owner is simply delighted .”

“ We have a well established education program for primary school children and Newborough forest now offers a wonderful chance for local school children to see red squirrels on the island ”, she added.

Anglesey is not only a local conservation success, but is heralded as a blue print for red squirrel conservation by groups working across the UK . Grey squirrels are a threat to native red squirrels in the counties of Fife and Angus, the Scottish Borders, and the North of England where government backed control programmes are getting underway.

Dr Craig Shuttleworth said,

“ The grey squirrel is close to being eradicated completely from Anglesey in a project which has regularly been singled out during Parliamentary debates as being an example for others to follow. The conservation of the native red squirrel has captured the imagination of local people and we are extremely grateful to everyone who has assisted with the grey squirrel trapping program .”

The project is keen to learn of all sightings of red or grey squirrels on Anglesey , and for anyone who has yet to see a red squirrel on the island, the Anglesey Red Squirrel Project have set up a live squirrel webcam on the red squirrel website www.redsquirrels.info

Notes to Editors

For further information and digital images please contact

Dr Craig Shuttleworth

Mobile 07966150847

Email craig@redsquirrels.info

Website www.redsquirrels.info

or Dr Hugh Knott

Telephone     01248 725724

Email              hugh@mentermon.com

For details about the community group Friends of the Anglesey Red squirrels

Telephone 01248 725755

Email becky@mentermon.com

Additional Information

• Red squirrels are much smaller, weighing 270-320g, than the grey squirrel which typically weighs 550-700g.
• Grey squirrels are a non-native species introduced to the UK from North America in 1876.
• The grey squirrel was first recorded on Anglesey in the mid 1960s and rapidly replaced red squirrels by competing with them for food.
• The grey squirrel is a highly destructive woodland pest causing serious damage to hardwood trees. In 2001 alone it was estimated that grey squirrels caused over £10 Million pounds worth of damage to the UK timber industry.
• The Friends of the Anglesey Red Squirrels is a community group established in 1999. Patrons are Lady Anglesey and Iolo Williams.
• Red squirrels can now be found in Newborough forest, Pentraeth forest, and in gardens across the south east of the island. In 2006 a sighting of a red squirrel was reported from the Dingle Nature Reserve in Llangefni, but this was never confirmed.
• Elsewhere in Wales , the red squirrel is facing an uncertain future. Small colonies can still be found in Mid Wales forests, near Bala, and in the spruce plantation of Clocaenog in Denbighshire.
• Wild Anglesey red squirrels can now bee watched live on the internet via the squirrelcam www.redsquirrels.info/squirrelcam.html