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Current action in Wales

* The Mid Wales Red Squirrel Project is currently seeking further funding to continue with vital survey work and grey squirrel control. The Project is a partner in the Wales Squirrel Forum (see below) and seeks to influence the conservation of red squirrels in Wales at a national level and be part of any future national conservation project.

We are seeking to raise awareness of the Project, both with the local people and politicians to ensure that red squirrel conservation in Mid Wales is considered as widely as possible.

* In Wales the Welsh Assembly Government (via CCW and FC) has no definite policy to conserve red squirrels.

* The Wales Squirrel Forum a partnership of a number of governmental and non-governmental organisations, has been formed and is developing a Red Squirrel Recovery Plan, which is in draft form.

* A development plan for a Wales Red Squirrel Project is being put together. Funding will be sought for a large-scale project to work on the implementation of red squirrel conservation and related public benefit throughout Wales.

* FC Wales is to draft a Grey Squirrels and Wales’ Woodlands Policy and Action statement, which is then consulted upon by members of the Wales Squirrel Forum.

* Clocaenog Forest, North Wales. Management recommendations from a study here emphasised the importance of Scots pine, Norway spruce and Japanese larch and the careful management of thinning and clear felling. At present a red squirrel conservation management project aims to provide improved guidance on the management of conifer forests for red squirrel conservation, including when and how grey squirrel control should be initiated and to assess the potential for providing a public viewing area, where red squirrels could be seen at a feeding station. The project will also investigate red squirrel densities and dispersal; monitor grey squirrels and the presence of squirrel poxvirus and investigate coning cycles.

* Anglesey. The control and monitoring of grey squirrels has been carried out on the island of Anglesey since 1988. Grey squirrels could be eradicated within 3-5 years from the island. Adult numbers increased to about 100, but the population has declined in response to poor conifer seed crops. Consequently a programme of supplementary feeding using hazel nuts was initiated during the winter 04/05.

Red squirrels were present in Newborough forest on Anglesey until the mid 1990s. The Corsican pine plantation is now the location of a red squirrel re-introduction programme. Five large captive-breeding enclosures were constructed during 2003. In May 2004, three adult red squirrels were radio-collared and released into the forest and these produced seven wild-born young. Breeding was also successful within the enclosures where an additional sixteen young squirrels were born in 2004. In 2002, almost 500 grey squirrels were caught in the forest, whilst in 2004 only 10 were found.

For Phase 2 of the project the emphasis is further re-introduction of red squirrels and long-term habitat management.