Red Squirrels on the Isle of Wight

Red squirrels are native to the British Isles but grey squirrels are not, they were introduced from North Americain during the mid 19th century.

Red squirrels are unable to compete for food and territory against the larger greys which also carry a ‘Squirrel Pox’ virus, so the number of red squirrels has drastically fallen since the greys’ introduction. Consequently the red squirrels are now only found in a few places around the country in certain isolated areas of Lancashire, Cumbria, Scotland, Anglesey and in the south of the country on Brownsea Island and the Isle of Wight, where The Solent presents a natural barrier to the greys.

The red squirrels are usually found more frequently in deciduous woodland but on the Isle of Wight they thrive in broadleaf woodland in which the greys more usually thrive.

The red squirrel is protected under The Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and it is illegal to bring a grey squirrel into an area in which red squirrels are found, an offence punishable on conviction with a fine of £5000 or a term of up to 2 years imprisonment! It is also illegal to release a grey squirrel anywhere once it has already been caught.

Red squirrels do not hibernate, they cannot breed with greys, nor can they digest the tannin in acorns, which form part of the natural diet of the grey squirrel. 

Buzzards on the Isle of Wight and elsewhere have increased dramatically in the last ten years or so and there is concern that this increase might be affecting red squirrel numbers.

Red squirrels on the Isle of Wight are valued to the extent that a special project is being run by volunteers to monitor their numbers and ensure their continued survival. The project deals with any issues concerning the welfare of the red squirrels such as reported sightings of a grey squirrel on the island and the setting up of Squirrel Crossings across busy roads.

Also residents with red squirrels on their land or in their gardens are sent an annual questionaire in order to provide up to date information on red squirrel activities. Another important activitity of the project is to carry out Post Mortems on any dead red squirrel found in order to establish its’ cause of death. Of the 158 dead red squirrels found in 2008/9, 123 were attributable to road deaths, 8 were killed by cats or dogs, and one fell in a water butt and drowned.

Red squirrels may be found in wooded areas all over the Isle of Wight but in particular they will be found in areas of Brightstone Forest, Arreton, Newtown, the ancient woodlands at Borthwood and across the Mottistone Estate.

There is also a hide set up to observe the red squirrels at Alverstone, Sandown near the old railway-line.

Red squirrels can often be seen in the Victoria Country Park, which is adjacent to our bungalow, as they are regularly fed there.