In the northern Highlands of Scotland, two not-for-profit conservation and environmental restoration groups—Trees for Life and Woodland Trust Scotland—have partnered to restore the iconic, native red squirrel to a Sutherland forest.
The squirrel releases at Woodland Trust Scotland’s Ledmore and Migdale Woods are the latest phase of a successful Trees for Life red squirrel reintroduction project across the Scottish Highlands, which is now moving into Sutherland for the first time.
Red squirrel getting to know new home in Ledmore and Migdale Woods, Oct. 2019.
Photo © Mat Larkin.
Red squirrels had been locally-extinct in Sutherland as recently as 2013. Sutherland is now home to an expanding population of red squirrels, following a relocation of 36 animals to the Alladale, Amat and Croick estates by the Highland Foundation for Wildlife and others in 2013, but the species currently remains missing from much of the northern Highlands.
Launching a drive to help red squirrels extend their range further north, around 20 reds from thriving populations in Inverness-shire and Moray will be relocated to the Woodland Trust site near the village of Spinningdale on the shore of Dornoch Firth during October and November. Critically, the region is free of grey squirrels.
“We are reintroducing red squirrels to carefully chosen native woodlands where these iconic wild animals belong, but from which they have been lost. They will then be able to spread, safe from threats from grey squirrels,” said Becky Priestley, Trees for Life’s Red Squirrel Project Manager.
“The Woodland Trust’s Ledmore and Migdale Woods are a perfect habitat for red squirrels. It’s fantastic to be helping the species return to this beautiful part of the Highlands, and to be kick-starting their reintroduction to northeast Scotland,” she added.
Urgent action is needed to secure the long-term future of the increasingly-rare red squirrel in the UK, where only an estimated 138,000 survive, including some 120,000 in Scotland. Numbers of the much-loved mammals have been devastated by destruction of their forest homes into isolated fragments, and by competition and lethal disease from non-native grey squirrels, introduced from North America.
Because reds travel between trees and avoid crossing large open spaces, they can’t return to now-isolated woodlands on their own – so the species is missing from many suitable Highland woods.
New populations of red squirrels already established by Trees for Life—following the charity’s reintroduction of 140 animals across several Highland locations between 2016 and 2018—have been successfully breeding and spreading into wider areas.
Red squirrel after release in Ledmore and Migdale Woods, October 2019.
Photo © Mat Larkin.
The Spinningdale releases this autumn will be Trees for Life’s northernmost release site to date. Previous relocations of squirrels from their strongholds in Inverness-shire and Moray were to forest fragments at Shieldaig, the Coulin Estate near Kinlochewe, Plockton, Inverewe, the Reraig peninsula, Attadale and Letterewe.
Ross Watson, North Scotland Site Manager at Woodland Trust Scotland, said, “We’re delighted to be involved in Trees for Life’s inspiring and much-needed red squirrel reintroduction project. The ancient woods at Ledmore and Migdale include a stunning pinewood and one of the most northerly oakwoods in Britain. It is perfect for red squirrels. Volunteers from the local community have come forward to help us ease the reds into their new home. They will be feeding and monitoring how the squirrels are getting on. It is great that the local community is going to be a part of this exciting project, and with 19 volunteers the squirrels will almost have one each!”
Next spring, Trees for Life plans to extend the reds’ range further west by releasing another 30 animals in the Morvern peninsular. The charity then aims to reintroduce reds to another two woodlands in the northwest Highlands by spring 2021, with at least one of these sites – which have yet to be confirmed – being further north in Sutherland or Caithness.
Increasing red squirrel numbers also benefits the expansion of native forests, because the squirrels collect and bury thousands of tree seeds each autumn, which often lie forgotten and take root.
Animal welfare is paramount during the reintroductions. The squirrels are transported in hay-lined nest boxes that are fixed to trees at the release sites, with grass-filled exit holes allowing the squirrels to leave when ready. Food is provided for several months as the squirrels get used to their new habitat. Annual monitoring involves observations of feeding signs, drey surveys and sightings records.
Only small numbers of red squirrels are removed from any site during the relocations, leaving donor populations unaffected. Health checks ensure that only healthy animals are introduced to new populations.
Trees for Life is a conservation charity dedicated to rewilding the Scottish Highlands. So far, its volunteers have reestablished nearly two million native trees at 44 sites across the Highlands, encouraging wildlife to flourish and helping communities to thrive. With the UK’s red squirrels at risk of extinction, Trees for Life is seeking funding for more reintroductions in suitable woodlands.
Featured photo is courtesy of ScotlandBigPicture.com.