RED SQUIRRELS

While grey squirrels are common across England, their daintier red cousin is at risk of becoming extinct.

The primary threats to red squirrels are disease outbreaks – particularly squirrel pox virus, harboured by grey squirrels – and a reduction of habitat quality.

The trees they need can be easily lost to disease, while red squirrels don’t thrive in the widely planted commercial forests of Sitka spruce. HELP THEM: If you spot one, log it on the Mammal Society’s Mammal Mapper app. The more we know of them, the more we can do to help them.

SEE THEM:

Red squirrels can be spotted in Formby, Merseyside, the Isle of Wight, Brownsea Island, Snaizedale and in most of Scotland. They are active during the daytime.

A particularly good bet is the National Trust’s Borthwood Copse on the Isle of Wight.