5 places to see red squirrels on the Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a haven for red squirrels. They are smaller and more timid than their larger grey cousins who have slowly overtaken the native creatures since being introduced to the UK about 150 years ago.
The natural barrier provided by the Solent continues to allow the reds to thrive, and they are backed up by legal status as a protected species.
Nature lovers looking to spot a red squirrel should explore some of these beautiful woodlands and nature reserves.
Swipe through to discover more squirrel spotting locations
1. Parkhurst Forest, near Newport
Parkhurst Forest is the Isle of Wight's thousand acre woods, beaten only by Brighstone Forest on scale.
Head for the red squirrel viewing hide, which was constructed in 2001 using oak and Douglas fir from the forest. It was given a revamp more recently and includes information about the squirrels, as well as providing a discreet place to look for them. To increase your chances, visit early in the morning or in the late afternoon.
You can park for free in Parkhurst Forest's large car park. Take a little time to walk around the forest's many tracks and trails.
2. Alverstone Mead, near Sandown
Four different nature reserves have been combined to create Alverstone Mead, which is a couple of miles outside of the seaside resort of Sandown.
The 60 acre site is a good spot for seeing red squirrels, as well as herons, woodpeckers and butterflies. Work has been done to encourage red squirrels to thrive at Alverstone Mead, including the planting of hazel trees, which are a particular favourite! The Hide is a good place to start. You can find it on the NC17 footpath, just off Burnt House Lane.
Alverstone Mead doesn't have its own car park but it is a pleasant area for a walk with plenty of wildlife to see.
3. Bouldnor Forest, near Yarmouth
Bouldnor Forest is a similar size to Alverstone Mead and can found on the outskirts of the sailing town of Yarmouth in the West Wight.
It is of particular interest to local conservationists at the Wight Squirrel Project. They say it is the most monitored woodland on the Island for red squirrels, with volunteers keeping a watchful eye for decades.
Recorded sightings of red squirrels in the forest have dropped at Bouldnor Forest over the last twenty years, but it remains a popular spot for seeking them out.
4. Osborne, East Cowes
Queen Victoria's former residence may not be the most obvious place that you would expect to see red squirrels. This popular attraction is buzzing with daily activity thanks to its fascinating history.
However, the royal grounds have proven to be a relatively common location for red squirrel sightings.
This was backed up by a survey carried out by English Heritage, which asked visitors to record sightings during their visits in 2012.
Over the space of the six month survey, more than 450 sightings were recorded by visitors!
5. Firestone Copse, near Wootton Bridge
Visitors staying in the East Wight may want to search for red squirrels in Firestone Copse. It is one of the easier forests to access, thanks to a large car park and several maintained tracks.
It is another part of the Island where data on red squirrels has been collected by the Wight Squirrel Project.
Back in 2007, a year long study reported almost 600 sightings of red squirrels - including 12 in one day! You may not be quite so lucky, but fingers crossed you might see one or two!
Helpful hints for spotting a red squirrel
- To increase your chances of seeing a red squirrel, keep still and stay as quiet as possible. Squirrels tend to hide if they sense sound and movement so avoid times of day when there are lots of dog walkers or cyclists around.
- Summer is a good time to see red squirrels, but they are visible all year as they don't hibernate. As mentioned earlier, you will have a better chance of seeing one at dawn and dusk when squirrels are more active.
- You may want to carry a tree identification chart with you, as that can give some useful clues as to where the squirrels will be hiding.
- In early summer, squirrels can often be found high up in Scots and Corsican pines, searching for pine cones. Later in summer, squirrels prefer hazel trees that are in fruit.
- In autumn, red squirrels spend more time in beech and sweet chestnut trees whilst in winter they tend to spend more time on the ground.
- It is vital that red squirrel habitats are left undisturbed, litter-free and that these precious creatures are observed from a distance.
What to do if you spot a red squirrel
If you are lucky enough to spot a red squirrel, you are encouraged to report the sighting to the Wight Squirrel Project.
You will be asked where and when you saw the squirrel - so give as much detail as possible. Ideally, you should record a grid reference or longitude and latitude.
You will also need to record if the squirrel was an adult or a much smaller kitten. Full size adults tend to be about 21cm long.
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