Red Squirrels on Anglesey

Anglesey holds one of the most successful mainland red squirrel populations in the UK thanks to a long-running conservation programme led by Red Squirrels Trust Wales. Red squirrels had been declining across Britain throughout the 20th century, displaced by the introduced grey squirrel — which not only outcompetes reds for food but also carries the squirrelpox virus, which is fatal to red squirrels but harmless to greys. On Anglesey, a systematic programme of grey squirrel removal (trapping and culling) that began in the 1990s has successfully eliminated grey squirrels from the island, and the red squirrel population has recovered dramatically. Anglesey now has approximately 700 red squirrels — a significant mainland population that has been stable or growing for over two decades.

Red squirrels are distributed across Anglesey's woodland areas, but the best-known locations are: Newborough Forest (a large Corsican pine plantation near Newborough, managed by Natural Resources Wales) — the extensive woodland here supports a substantial population, and squirrels are regularly seen on and around the paths early in the morning; and the woodland areas along the Menai Shore, including around Plas Newydd (National Trust) and the Glanrafon area near Menai Bridge. Red squirrels are most active in the morning and late afternoon. Autumn (September–November) is the best season, when squirrels are actively caching food and spend more time on the ground and in visible tree positions. Patience and quiet movement are key — dogs should be kept on short leads.

Red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) are smaller than grey squirrels, with a warm russet-brown coat (ranging from bright red-orange to dark brown), distinctive ear tufts (especially prominent in winter), and a bushier tail. In summer the coat is more vivid; in winter it becomes grey-brown on the back but remains warmer in colour than the grey squirrel's pewter-grey coat. The face of the red squirrel is also distinctly pointed and finer-featured. On Anglesey, the absence of grey squirrels (due to the conservation programme) means that any squirrel you see will be a red — which simplifies identification considerably. In mainland North Wales (where grey squirrels are common), reds are much rarer and the comparison is more relevant.

Red squirrels can be seen year-round on Anglesey, but October and November are particularly good months — squirrels are extremely active, caching food for winter, and spend long periods foraging at ground level where they are easier to observe. Spring (March–May) is also good as squirrels are establishing territories and young squirrels from the previous year's litter disperse. In high summer, squirrels are less visible as food is abundant and they spend more time in the tree canopy. Morning visits (within 2 hours of sunrise) are the most productive in all seasons. Quiet, still days are better than windy days (when squirrels tend to stay under cover).

Yes — the Anglesey red squirrel conservation programme is widely cited as one of the most successful examples of invasive species management in UK conservation history. The systematic approach to grey squirrel removal, combined with public engagement and habitat management, has been replicated or attempted in other areas with red squirrel populations (parts of Northumberland, the Isle of Wight, parts of Scotland). The programme demonstrated that sustained effort over many years could reverse the grey squirrel's competitive dominance and allow red squirrel recovery. Red Squirrels Trust Wales continues to manage the Anglesey population and to coordinate monitoring and research. The project is often used in educational contexts as an example of the complexity and commitment required for successful invasive species management.