Biodiversity Northern Ireland

Red Squirrel

The red squirrel is identified on the UK, NI and Mourne biodiversity action plans as being a creature in great need of help.

Since the introduction of the American grey squirrel to County Longford about 100 years ago, the red has had to compete with the grey for food and territory, ultimately losing this battle and gradually being pushed out of its natural range. Without help, the red squirrel will eventually disappear from Ireland forever.

In 2001 a group of people living around Tollymore Forest Park noticed a dramatic increase in grey squirrels in the park, and decided to start conserving the red squirrel in the area, forming the Tollymore Red Squirrel Group. Working closely with Forest Service, the group have erected and maintained red squirrel feeders throughout Tollymore Forest Park and helped the Forest Service staff to identify grey squirrel hot spots in the area. They have doubled the number of red squirrels in Tollymore Forest Park since their work began, and young squirrels are spreading out from this haven into nearby suitable habitat such as Castlewellan and Donard Forests. 

People are beginning to notice red squirrels retuning to the area and are keen to get involve in actively saving the reds. Through contact with the red squirrel group and Mourne's outreach officer, Shimna College have recently put up a red squirrel feeder, as have Shannagh More outdoor education centre, with more sightings of red squirrels around Newcastle as a result. 
On the other side of the Mournes in Kilbroney, Rostrevor, the Kilbroney Centre staff are active partners in championing the red squirrel and we have confirmation that there are still reds in Rostrevor Forest. 
Newry and Mourne Council's biodiversity officer is working with staff at the Ring of Gullion to support red squirrel action in the woodlands areas there.

How can I help?
Now that red squirrels are beginning to expand their range throughout Mourne we need more people to help them. 
You can;

• Join the red squirrel group to stay updated with information about our red squirrels.
• Help spot both red and grey squirrels in the area to help us keep a log of their movements.  www.mournelive.com
• Adopt a feeder in woodland close to your home.
• Build red squirrel feeders as part of a community group, Scout or school project.
• Support us at red squirrel activity days throughout the year.

Contact Catherine.bertrand@mourne.co.uk for more information if you live within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 
Newry and Mourne biodiversity officer Danielle Cookson is co-ordinating red squirrel work around Newry and the Ring of Gullion and can be contacted at Danielle.Cookson@newryandmourne.gov.uk. 
For wider information about red squirrel projects in Northern Ireland contact Maeve Rafferty, key species officer with the Ulster Wildlife Trust, maeve.rafferty@ulsterwildlifetrust.org