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Posted on Tuesday Apr 27 6:03:00 BST 2010 
This was only the second time that I had been to the Isle of Wight, on the previous occasion it rained for two of the three days. Our hosts were as welcoming as ever and not only did the sun shine, it was pleasantly warm as well.
The location was an absolute delight - woodland, quiet valley pasture, ponds and abundant wildlife, made all the more special by the frequent appearance of the resident Red Squirrel population. It is remarkable how the fur colour varied from individual to individual. The squirrel in the picture was running along a rope in our hosts garden, intended to allow the animals to stay off the ground as much as possible to protect them from predation by Buzzards, this particular one was a stunning orange brown whilst others were a darker brown.
Sitting watching the squirrels come and go was a reminder just what the wider British mainland countryside has lost and how rich the habitat is with these beautiful creatures present. Posted on Tuesday Apr 13 8:01:00 BST 2010 In a previous blog I have pointed out the apathy shown by the likes of the RSPB over the control of grey squirrels. Recent reports suggest that they are becoming more pro-active and effecting eradication of grey squirrels where a red squirrel population is present in the proximity of or on a RSPB reserve.
Whilst this is a positive move it is simply not enough, a much wider, more directed grey squirrel eradication campaign is needed. Close to areas where I was photographing last month, grey squirrels have moved into two areas with the result that several red squirrels have died from the parapox virus. The locality is well monitored and grey squirrel culling carried out, but the grey is such an opportunist that even constant vigilance is barely keeping them at bay.
The red squirrel is especially vulnerable at this time of year with young in the drey to nurture and feed. Invariably the recent deaths of female red squirrels will have meant that the young will have died in the drey. This is not only tragic but illustrates a further aspect of the red squirrel population decline.
Much more pressure must be brought on the RSPB, DEFRA, Natural England and conservation bodies to promote a major grey squirrel culling campaign. If you also feel passionate about ensuring the survival of the Red Squirrel please lobby and make your views known to these bodies. |
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