A Very Big Thank You to Everyone Who Took the Time to Take Part in Our Squirrel Survey!

Survey Success!

A very big thank you to everyone who took the time to take part in our Squirrel Survey! It was very successful and we were able to get a much clearer picture of the numbers and locations of our red squirrels.

The good news is that we are pleased to report that our red squirrels are still with us and, whilst we wouldn’t like to guess at actual numbers, we can report that they are visiting gardens across the breadth of Darras Hall, with sightings reported on most roads. Ponteland also has it’s fair share of squirrels, with a good number being seen on the golf course and at the Police Head Quarters. We also had many sightings from Woolsington, Medburn, Milbourne, where reds are still about, but in fewer numbers. Blagdon has a good number and Dissington Hall is pleased to confirm that after their disastrous outbreak of Squirrel Pox in 2005, and their subsequent successful grey squirrel deterrent program, they now have an increasing colony of reds.

However, we also had reports from some Darras Hall residents who are very disappointed that they no longer see their reds, namely gardens in Darras Road and Eastern Way. This is very disappointing, but seems to coincide with two of the 10 road-kills reported since January and the appearance in this area of at least one grey. We have also had reports that some residents are seeing fewer squirrels in their gardens. We are hoping that as new juveniles begin to disperse they may begin to re-colonise these gardens.

On a positive note, we have had many reports from residents whose gardens are now being frequented by red squirrels for the first time. This is obviously brilliant news, and we believe that because of Ponteland Red Squirrels raising awareness in our area and encouraging more people to supplementary feed our squirrels, this has had a positive effect and in turn encouraged our reds to maximise their breeding.

Unfortunately, though, we also had several grey squirrel sightings reported to us. There seems to be an elusive couple (or perhaps more) of greys visiting gardens between Darras and Runnymede and up towards Western way. This could be disastrous for our reds and may indeed account for residents reporting fewer reds in these areas.

WE WOULD BE VERY GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY IF YOU HAVE A GREY SQUIRREL VISITING YOUR GARDEN.

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On the brink

Whilst we are up-beat and positive about our numbers of red squirrels, we are also very concerned about the recent influx of greys.

Grey Squirrels, as you may be aware through all the squirrel publicity lately, can carry the Squirrel Pox Virus. Although this disease does not harm the grey it is deadly for the red squirrel, causing horrific symptoms and death within 2 weeks of exposure. For further details, please see our website

A whole population of red squirrels can be wiped out within weeks when an infected grey moves into an area. Over 80% of grey squirrels carry the virus. Even if an uninfected group of greys moves into a red squirrel population the red squirrels will die out. This happens more slowly and, at present, there are many theories and reasons for this happening. However, it has been proved that it will take less than 2-3 years for a red colony to die out without the presence of Squirrel Pox Virus.

During this period, many people start to believe that the two species can co-habit, but it soon becomes apparent that, without intervention, whilst the grey colony increases the red colony decreases. This is because the grey is much bigger and more robust, and can survive on a wider range of foods. Research has shown that the presence of grey squirrels within a red colony causes cessation of breeding among the female reds, thus adding the depletion of red numbers. Other experts believe that the grey squirrel uses the red squirrel’s dreys and dens at will, chasing off the red squirrels and even eating their young.

This is a sobering thought and one, which we, at Ponteland Red Squirrels, want to avert happening in our area. Over that past one and a half years we have been successfully raising awareness ofour Ponteland red squirrels. Like us, many people have been enjoying feeding and watching red squirrels in their gardens for many years, and are concerned for their welfare, especially since the continued and unrelenting advancement of the grey squirrel from the South and North.

We believe that with the help of residents we can keep Ponteland and district red. You can do this by following a few steps, ones which many of you are doing already!

1. Keep a watchful eye on the reds that visit your garden. Are they lively, eating well?
2. Supplementary feed all year round, especially in the summer months. Please read our feeding guidelines. You can download these from our website or request a copy by telephone. Squirrels love hazelnuts (filberts- hazelnuts in their shells), available from Poltross Enterprises and Cowells (if you find these expensive mix with peanuts in their shells – but please don’t give peanuts exclusively as they can cause calcium deficiency).
3. Keep your squirrel and bird feeders clean. We recommend you clean them with Citrox (available at Cowells or Poltross) or Arklens disinfectants.
4. Please keep us informed of changes. Have you new squirrels visiting, babies or (hopefully not) fewer squirrels?
5. Please report all grey sightings to us first! The sooner we hear the sooner we can act! We always pass all sightings onto the NWT SOS team for their database.

Nature’s Very Cruel

Sometimes there is nothing we can do to save a poorly animal, despite our best efforts. Over the past quarter two red squirrels were reported to us by caring residents in Ponteland.

The first one, pictured, was, at first sight, very lethargic and had a swollen eye. Peter and Maureen Curran suspected pox and called us immediately. However, after closer inspection we felt the squirrel had been attacked. This diagnosis was confirmed by Frances Gray, Aln Vets, Morpeth, who did her best to save the poor squirrel. Unfortunately the squirrel died. A later Post Mortem from the Vet Lab, Cumbria reported that this was the case and the squirrel was in a very poor state and had also contracted pneumonia, probably as a result of being attacked. The second poorly squirrel found was also very still and sitting on a garden path. Concerned residents called us, but unfortunately the squirrel died before reaching the vet. The post mortem reported that the female had died because of an over-large dead foetus adhered to the uterus wall, which had been there some time.

More Abandoned Babies!

Two tiny, hairless, baby squirrels were found in a Darras Hall garden in July. The homeowners contacted Sally from Ponteland Red Squirrels and committee member Margaret was able to act quickly. She collected the tiny babies and took them to safety.

The babies (kittens) were found on the garden and part of the drey was caught up in a holly bush. The homeowners acted quickly, and placed the remains of the drey in a box and put the babies inside. “The drey was exquisite!” reported Margaret, “The centre was very cosy, being lined with moss, fur and down!” On first appearance the owners believed the drey had been blown out of the tree, however, on closer inspection, we believe that the drey had been ripped out of the tree by a predator. A female squirrel often has up to 6-8 babies and as only two were found perhaps the predator (a bird of prey or magpies) could have carried off the remainder kittens.

The carers are doing a marvellous job looking after the kittens and this week reported that they are ‘doing well’ – so, although it is early days, we are keeping our fingers crossed! The tiny kittens are still in intensive care and, as such, are unable to be seen by members of the public. However, your donations to help look after the babies and other wildlife in distress would be gratefully received (please contact us for details).

We will keep you informed of the kitten’s progress on our website and in our next Newsletter.

Planning Pain

If you live in the area you can’t but help to notice the fashion over the past few years of large new houses being built on the sites of smaller old ones.

We are not by any means against this happening. However, we are very concerned when the new-build is built other than on the footprint of the old house or multiple houses are proposed. Why are we concerned?

Well, often the houses are built at the bottom of a mature garden sites, causing many trees, bushes and plants to be removed. These are not only the perfect habitat for our red squirrels, but also for many other species of wildlife. Thereseems to be a general lack of concern about the continued destruction of the fabric of Darras Hall, and even less concern for the wildlife in the area.

What a shame that our once beautiful ‘Garden Estate’ is gradually diminishing. Surely people want to move to Darras Hall because of it’s rural, yet urban, community, it’s tree lined roads and large garden plots. The replacement of old bungalows for new large homes does not have to impact on the wildlife. There are plenty of examples of sympathetic new-builds, where landscaping has actually enhanced the garden, in Darras Hall.

Perhaps, as residents of Darras Hall, we need to encourage the authoritiesto look at applications more carefully and thoroughly before approval and insist that Developers, Architects and Builders take into account the wildlife in the area and put measures in place to ensure that our wildlife habitats areenhanced, instead of destroyed!

Talks, Talks, Talks!

It’s been a busy quarter what with the Ponteland Party in the Park, Educational Talks and a Lecture Lunch at Dobbies! We would like to thank everyone who has visited our stall and listened to our Talks. We hope you enjoyed them and learned something new! We also hope it inspired you to think about our red squirrels. We must say, we were very impressed and heartened by the interest shown by our future generation; the children from Ponteland and DarrasHallFirstSchools!

The Ponteland Party in the Park was a great success! At one stage we had a queue waiting to ‘throw balls’ at the grey squirrels (well pictures on cans!)! Our red squirrel soft toys, greetings cards and framed photos proved very popular too!

Our merchandise is available on our Website and delivered free to local areas. We are also available to give Educational Squirrel Talks, but please book early to avoid disappointment!

Please visit our stall at the next Ponteland Farmers Market, 25th August, and also at Stannington Flower Festival, 31stJuly –2nd August.

Local Groups, Local Action, Local Results!

Local red squirrel groups are a great way to make things happen!

Larger organisations, such as the and the Red Squirrel Protection Partnership are doing a great job controlling grey squirrels across the region, and Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s Save Our Squirrel Group are raising awareness of red squirrel conservation. However, none of this would be possible without the help, cooperation and interest from local people!

That’s where local groups are so important. As a local contact we can raise awareness, keep red squirrels in everybody’s minds, be the first port of call for our areas and, therefore, act immediately when needed 24/7! Several local groups have begun to spring up across Northumberland. Squirrel Action Greenhead and Gilsland (SAGG) set up this year and is already a very proactive group. Founder and chairman, Jan, has been working very hard to raise awareness of red squirrels and fight the influx of greys in the West of Northumberland and Cumbrian border area. Ulgham Red Squirrels is raising awareness in the East and a fledging group in Sinderhopeis making it’s mark in the Allendale area.

However, we still need more groups across Northumberland. Lots of people are doing lots of things to help the red squirrels, but by organising a group the impact in your area can be much more effective. If you can spare a little time and would like to set up a local action group we would be pleased to help! All the Northumberland Local Groups liaise with each other and also with the larger organisations (SOS and RSPP). We also liase with groups ‘over the big hill’ in Cumbria, where local groups have been successfully working together for many years to make a difference