Red squirrel sightings on the increase

Having been in steep decline in the Yorkshire Dales National Park for most of the 20th Century, the animals have been making a return since the early Nineties.

There have been increasing numbers of reports across the national park, particularly in its western fringes where it meets the Cumbrian border.

Sightings include Wensleydale, with a number of reports around Hawes, the small river valley of Widdale, and in Richmondshire.

Between 1990 and 1999, there were 865 reports of red squirrels across the national park and a further 590 in the six years between 2000 and 2006.

Wildlife conservation officer Ian Court said: “It certainly does seem that there has been an increase in the population.”

One of the problems for the creatures is a lack of woodland into which they can expand, so the main emphasis is on preserving populations where they have been confirmed.

Part of the process is a project run under the Red Alert Northern England conservation partnership, which identified 16 red squirrel reserves nationally where work is needed to protect the animals.

Widdale is one reserve and a number of organisations are working with landowners to preserve the habitat in the dale.

Measures have included creating a feeding station and a viewing point, designed to attract visitors to the area.

Mr Court pointed to the success of a viewing point in Malham, in the national park, where people have been able to watch peregrine falcons for several years.

He said: “Local businesses near Malham have been saying that they can see the commercial benefits because people come into the area to see the birds.

“We hope that in a smaller way the red squirrels can have the same effect, that people will come to see them and contribute to the local economy.”

For details of the viewing point visit natureinthedales.org.uk/index/learning-about/nature_in_the_dales/best_places_to_see/snaize holme-red-squirrel-trail.htm