Red Squirrels

Nature

The Isle of Wight is one of the last strongholds for red squirrels in England. The island supports an estimated 3,500 red squirrels, the largest population in southern England, thriving because grey squirrels have never established themselves here. The Solent acts as a natural barrier, keeping the invasive greys at bay.

Red squirrels can be seen across the island, but the best locations include Parkhurst Forest near Newport, Alverstone Mead nature reserve, Borthwood Copse near Shanklin, and the grounds of Quarr Abbey near Ryde. Briddlesford Woods, managed by the People's Trust for Endangered Species, is a key conservation site. Many garden bird feeders across the island attract regular red squirrel visitors.

Research by Bournemouth University and the Wight Squirrel Project has found that the island has sufficient woodland and hedgerow habitat to support population growth. The squirrels on the east and west of the island are genetically distinct, though signs of mixing between the two populations have been detected, which would benefit the overall genetic health of future generations.

The Isle of Wight red squirrels are a significant tourist attraction. Several holiday cottages and B&Bs advertise red squirrel sightings as a selling point. The Wight Squirrel Project coordinates monitoring and conservation efforts, and citizen science surveys help track population trends across the island.