Northern Red Squirrels

Latest News

Squirrel Fest to be held on 26 September at Brockhole

First Pictures Added to NRS Gallery
(16 May 2010)

Thanks to Jim Bell who has provided four beautiful pictures of squirrels in Plessey Woods for the NRS Gallery. Other pictures of squirrels can be seen on various member group sites which can be linked to from the Gallery page.

Local Fundraiser Gets Royal Approval
(14 April 2010)

Sarah McNeil, of Thrimby, near Penrith, has just unveiled her latest red squirrel fund-raising cards. Sarah who was born and brought up near Wigton said: “This is the third year in a row that I have released red squirrel images for this worthy cause. All the money raised from the cards goes directly to helping the Cumbrian reds by supplying them with supplement squirrel feed, flip lid feeders, awareness road signs, live cage traps and much more.” Click here for more details and where to obtain the cards.

Squirrel Ranger Appointed for Northern Eden Valley
(9 April 2010)

PENRITH and District Red Squirrel Group (P&DRSG), acting in partnership with Save Our Squirrels (SOS), has appointed John Lisle (right), of Melmerby, as the new red squirrel ranger for the northern Eden Valley. Further details can be found in an article in the Cumberland and Westmorland Herald, click here to link to it.

Instructions for Making a Squirrel Feeder and a Nestbox
(13 March 2010)

A number of people have asked about making feeders and nestboxes. Instructions on how to do so have been added to the FAQs - Reds page.

Sixth Newsletter Published
(1 March 2010)

The sixth Newsletter has now been published. Click here to display a copy (please note that you will need Adobe Acrobat reader to enable you to do this. The Newsletter page facilitates dowloading of this free software if you do not already have installed on your computer).

Red Squirrel Calendars Sale
(12 January 2010)

The Ponteland Red Squirrel calendars have sold very well. There are still a few available and as we are now well into the new year, they are being offered at £2.50 (including P & P). If you would like one, please contact Sally at pontelandredsquirrels@yahoo.co.uk.

Red Squirrel Calendars Available
(13 December 2009)

Ponteland Red Squirrels have produced an A3 calendar with a different picture of our local squirrels for each month. They are priced at £4:50 including postage. If you would like one, please contact Sally at pontelandredsquirrels@yahoo.co.uk.

Christmas Card (Sold Out)
(19 October 2009)

Christmas cards and tags/labels are available to buy. The cards are 11.7cm x 18.2cm and cost £4.50 for 10. The labels are a slightly different design but contain the same squirrel pictures and cost £1.50 for 10. Illustrations of the cards can be seen by clicking on the following links; card 1, card 2. Please contact Sally at info@northernredsquirrels.org.uk if you wish to purchase.

Fifth Newsletter Published
(15 October 2009)

The fifth Newsletter, which includes an article on the recent Squirrel Fest, the grant obtained by Morpeth Red Squirrels, RSST and other news from the member groups, has now been published. Click here to display a copy (please note that you will need Adobe Acrobat reader to enable you to do this. The Newsletter page facilitates dowloading of this free software if you do not already have installed on your computer).

New SOS Sightings Maps
(4 October 2009)

SOS have recently produced a set of Distribution Maps for sightings of both red and grey squirrels in Cumbria and Northumberland during June/July/August 2009. Please note that in the maps (called Summer Sightings Maps) the green dots show the grey squirrel sightings.

Hotline Number Changed
(11 July 2009)

Please note that the hotline number is now 07878 061880.

Anglesey Join NRS Network
(11 July 2009)

Friends of Anglesey Red Squirrels, which is also very much involved with the newly formed RSST, have joined the NRS network. Their website is www.redsquirrels.info.

Fourth Newsletter Published
(21 June 2009)

The fourth Newsletter, which includes an article on the RSST Launch has now been published. Click here to display a copy (please note that you will need Adobe Acrobat reader to enable you to do this. The Newsletter page facilitates dowloading of this free software if you do not already have installed on your computer).

Allerdale Red Squirrel Group Now Have a Web-site
(21 June 2009)

The Allerdale Red Squirrel Group have developed their own web-site which can be found on www.allerdaleredsquirrels.co.uk

Grey Squirrel Culling Co-ordination
(15 May 2009)

A BBC News Article published on their web-site discusses the work being done by RSPP and volunteer groups and the importance of good co-ordination if the red squirrel is to be saved from extinction in northern England.

Prince Charles Officially Launches The Red Squirrel Survival Trust
(Posted 4 April 2009)

Prince Charles officially launched the Red Squirrel Survival Trust on 3 April during a trip to Levens Hall near Kendal. This is detailed in the Hexham Courant. The Daily Telegraph also includes an article on the Prince's reasons for supporting the work of the RSST.

The Red Squirrel Survival Trust
(Posted 5 March 2009)

The Red Squirrel Survival Trust is a UK charity established to ensure the conservation and protection of the red squirrel in the UK. Its Patron is HRH The Prince of Wales. RSST is committed to partnering with dedicated and knowledgeable local groups around the country. Its aims are not to reinvent the wheel, but to listen to local groups and work with them to protect red squirrels in the UK.

The RSST aims to protect red squirrels by keeping reds and greys apart, stabilising new and existing populations, funding research into a squirrel pox vaccine and raising awareness of the plight of the red squirrel. The charity favours the use of volunteers wherever possible to support its aims. As well as ensuring strong community involvement in the cause, this also keeps administration and overheads costs to a minimum. It believes that it is crucial that money is spent efficiently and wisely – either through targeted research, or practical projects that make a difference where it counts: on the ground.

The good news is that the RSST is in the process of developing a partnership with Northern Red Squirrels to assist local volunteer groups in their ongoing efforts to save our native red squirrel in the north. They have already provided funds for 200 traps for use across the region!

RSST supports other Red Squirrel Conservation Groups as well as NRS in the UK. By becoming a Friend of RSST or making a donation you will be helping to Save Our Red Squirrels. More details can be found on their web site, www.rsst.org.uk.