ONCE common across the UK and now a rarity, red squirrels have been seen in parts of Wensleydale.

Although red squirrel populations remain healthy on mainland Europe, their numbers are currently in major decline in the UK. From a high thought to be around 3.5 million their current population is estimated at 138,000. Of that, most inhabit Scotland, with only 15,000 resident in England.

Conversely there could be as many as 2.5 million grey squirrels in the UK and with no current method of comprehensively surveying them this figure could be an underestimation.

Two weeks ago, Low Mill Guest House in Bainbridge reported a sighting of a red squirrel – building their own mini guest house in their garden paid dividends with a return visit. Following that, a week later nine miles further east, the Old Vicarage B&B in West Witton reported a similar visitor.

Red squirrels can be distinguished from their grey cousins in a number of ways: they are smaller, have tufts on their ears and have tails all the same colour. Paradoxically fur is not definitive guide as both species can have wide variation in the colour of their coats. Conservation partnership, Red Squirrels Northern England (RSNE), works across northern England monitoring the activities of these threatened creatures. Sightings can be reported via their website and it has a handy map showing sightings across the UK. There is also information on locations where it is possible to see the creatures.