Red Squirrels

There are two species of squirrel in the UK. The Red and the Grey squirrel. The Red squirrel has been here for thousands of years whilst the Eastern Grey squirrel was introduced 250 years ago from the United States. Unfortunately the Red squirrel is now under threat and is monitored closely by wildlife organisations..

Back to Nature

Red Squirrels

Red squirrels are our native species and have lived in the UK for around 10,000 years.

Whilst the range of our native red squirrels is now limited to certain areas of the UK, such as Anglesey, parts of northern England and Scotland. In many cases they have retreated to wilder, remote locations. Unfortunately, without conservation management, red squirrels could become extinct in England. Time is really running out to save our red squirrels.

To preserve red squirrels, they must be kept apart from grey squirrels as the two species cannot live together long term. The map below illustrates this as it shows that grey squirrels have replaced red squirrels across almost all of England and Wales.