Red squirrels are Britain's only native squirrel. Here in the North East they are still a familiar and much loved sight. Unfortunately, the red squirrel has all but vanished from the rest of the country where the North American grey squirrel now dominates.
Northumberland and Cumbria are the only areas of mainland England where there are large populations of red squirrels. But even here it is clear that the reds are declining. Northumberland remains a stronghold, although the grey is invading from both the North and South.
Red squirrels are the gentlemen of the 'squirrel world'. Remember Beatrix Potter's universally loved character Squirrel Nutkin? Greys are larger than the red and are better able to survive both harsh weather and periods of food shortage. It breeds mores successfully and quickly out-competes the red squirrel for food.
To tackle the problem Northumberland Wildlife Trust employs a Red Squirrel Conservation officer who forms part of Red Alert North East and who works in collaboration with other red squirrel conservation projects in the north of England and the Scottish Borders.
Red Alert North East is determined to fight for the red squirrels in Northumberland and County Durham. Without help they will certainly be lost from our woodlands within a few years.
To learn more about their work please visit www.nwt.org.uk
Thanks to Allan Potts for the Red Squirrel photograph.