Hunting for Red Squirrels in ENGLAND!

Red Squirrels are the original native squirrel of the UK, but have been displaced by non-native Grey squirrels over most of the country. There are a handful of places where they can still be found, or where they have been reintroduced, so come along with me as I try to track them down.
#nature #squirrels #wildlife

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you for watching this video! If you would like to support the channel even more, please consider my Patreon which can be found here> www.patreon.com/ashotofwildlife

[@rather_be_a_cat]

I'm 49 now and the last red squirrel I remember seeing in England was when I was about 12 in my Mum's garden. That was is Stoke on Trent. She now lives in Cornwall and when I visit her there I see plenty of rabbits but have not seen a single grey squirrel, probably due to the vast number of owls, hawks and other predatory birds in the area. I have a squirrel that builds it's drey in my garden to make the most of the peanuts from the bird food. I put the stuffing from an old pillow my cats had trashed outside last year and it made me so happy to see it had used it to line it's home. The wood pigeons also took advantage of the extra free fluff. On the path I ride up on the way to work a squirrel had used a plastic bag to waterproof the roof of it's drey that I thought was pretty clever.

[@nickcurrie9499]

Love all your videos Liam, shame you didn’t catch sight of a squirrel this time. Still a great film to watch and I admire your enthusiasm with what you love doing-many thanks 😊

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you Nick! I will be back there soon enough and will hopefully have more success. Fingers crossed!

[@MrTrick.]

Hi Liam, i feel your pain. I'm in Slovenia, trying to track down a Black Woodpecker. I heard him yesterday, drumming away, but couldnt glimpse him. I'll keep trying though.

[@bikes_camera_more]

I recall Red Squirrels on the Isle of Wight when I visited family there back in the 60s. Another location well known for a population of Red Squirrels is Brownsea Island, just opposite Poole Harbour in Dorset.

[@Zac-bo7wl]

One of the greatest uk wildlife KZbinrs going !

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you!

[@KL3NCH]

This reminds me of a pre-booked whale watching trip out of Tromsø in 2017- they had migrated away but we still had a grand day out on the fjords. I have a 35mm slide photograph of a red squirrel taken maybe twenty years ago in The Lakes. I'd noticed it running along the dry stone wall outside the cabin at the same time each day so I waited. I got the shot but they don't sit still at all and it was a bit blurred. Stick at It Liam, you understand better than most that commitment leads to fulfillment. Thank you for another lovely video.

[@IRSA1]

No squirrels, but plenty of other interesting wildlife to be privileged to see !

[@WS_Farming]

Thanks for spoiling the video

[@frankgriffies6070]

Great video Liam. Thanks.

[@PeterGaunt]

Thanks again Liam. It's not often I see a wildlife video about a failure to find the goal. You've done others too. Good thing!

[@birdsbodger]

Your not alone! I went up to near Formby where there are supposed to be Red Squirrels. 3 days there and not a sign of them! Great video. Better luck next time!

[@patricksmith4424]

Did you go to the right place in Formby? On visiting family In Liverpool, we went to a picnic area in Formby there were lots of fir trees t and yes there were loads of red squirrels and really tame too. Forget exactly where it was.

[@Compo67]

Someone has squirrelled them all away Liam, maybe in one of those Wendy houses!😂 I thought you hiding in a Wendy House was very funny … well done, nice video 👌😁❤👏

[@SkylarkFields]

Aw, you still made a great video of your day though and I think the real star was the barn owl - what a lovely surprise to come across that! Here's wishing you lots of luck in finding one/some red squirrels if you go over there again. And I must add, what a lovely lady to invite you onto her property to try and spot one. I hope she sees and enjoys your video!

[@paulf2529]

The ones in my own garden have grey coats, squirells are not rare at all, infact mine are very tame and happy to eat peanuts from my hand.

[@Tim.Weaver]

Another great vid, Liam. Nice to see an honest reflection of the difficulties of wildlife filming. At least you got some good shots of nature, met some kind friendly humans, and had a nice cream cake.👍

[@guydunn7414]

I know of a spot in Yorkshire where you are guaranteed to see red squirrels all year round. They are literally running all around you.

[@patricianunes3521]

Even though the red squirrels 🐿️ were not around, still as always a great video. Thank you for sharing

[@paulcoleman478]

The Isle Of Wight is a good place to see Red Squirrels (I have also seen (Black Red Squirrels there too!) I enjoyed the video 👍

[@SteveT--UK]

Yep .....isle of wight. Red squirrel trail.. 32 miles of cycle track , traffic free. Ferry across the Solent or hovercraft if it's still running 🤷🏻. Good luck from Portsmouth 🙏🏻🫂

[@petelumley1578]

I feel for you Liam. I have only ever seen one native squirrel and that was many years ago. I admire your enthusiasm and I sure you will get there eventually.

[@garylivesey7571]

Hi Liam thanks for the video im visiting a mate this week in Sutherland in the highlands of Scotland he has reds visiting his nut box every day i will take some footage and send it to you if you like its a long way from you but the footage is well worth it 👍🐿🐿

[@Trundlebugg]

Great vid 🙂👌 I live not far from Newborough in wales where there’s a decent population and you sometimes find them in other patches of woodland on Anglesey, most reliable place to find them though is in a patch of woodland at the back of the local Waitrose carpark 😅 bonus is they’re less shy than most reds as it’s the local dog walking patch and some people with nearby gardens have feed stations for them. Years back when they first decided to turn Anglesey into a grey free zone, after thorough culling it was expected that they wouldn’t be able to get back from the mainland but turns out they used the bridges as regular commutes and very quickly there were photos of them halfway over the suspension bridge 🤦‍♀️ Ended up culling a large area on the mainland around the bridges but the greys have started appearing again in the last year.

[@lindaemmett4534]

Hi Liam-what a shame you didn't see any red squirrels when you went to Mersea Island!. A couple of yrs ago I went to Tenby, and whilst there I took a boat trip over to Caldey Island where there is a population of reds. I was lucky enough to see two squirrels but unfortunately I wasn't quick enough to get any pictures of them--but saw them nevertheless! I hope you eventually get to see some red squirrels and manage to photograph them. Good luck!🐿🐿

[@droidskivideo]

Hi Liam. A really informative and entertaining video as always: you’re our ‘go-to’ whenever we want to find out a bit more detail about a bird or other wildlife that we want to see or learn about. We actually went to Mersea Island a couple of weeks ago after seeing the red squirrels featured on BBC Look East and assumed that Cudmore Grove country park would be a good place to see them. The only squirrel that we saw looked like a grey though despite a local couple telling us that there were none on the island. We went to the same hide as you and saw it high in one of the trees overlooking the pond; I managed to get a few images at the full extent of my lens but it didn’t look at all like a red. We saw the owl box too but weren’t as fortunate as you to see it’s occupant but we did see the Skylark in the grassland nearby. We also saw probably the same crows that you showed and they were happy to take the monkey nuts that were offered. We didn’t have much time as our journey from Peterborough took about 5 hours due to an accident on the A14 but we are planning to go back and stay overnight in a few weeks’ time so will hopefully have more luck. Keep up the good work and thank you!

[@markjordan899]

never seen a red one,but i,ve seen an even rarer (albino) pure white squirrel on the outskirts of a small hampshire town....it looked like someones pet ferret climbing up through the trees.........

[@chrisstones1249]

Thats wildlife for you ,but I'm sure you will get to see red squirrels ,just keep on making these videos, tremendously entertaining and a lot of it is your presentation ,well done fella 👍👍👍

[@michaelmcdonnell1280]

Thanks for trying. Your videos are so interesting. I really enjoy them, Michael in the West of Ireland 🇮🇪

[@missapippin9020]

I am sure you will get to see a red squirrel one day but look what else you got to see Nature never disappoints does she. Beautiful video thank you.

[@danvenables4935]

Shame you couldn't find any, but nice to see a Barn owl. I saw reds at Snaizeholme red squirrel sanctuary in Yorkshire Dales. Most were around the feeders set up, it was magical to watch them playing and feeding around there. Amazing how tame they were around people, one ran along the fence playing right in front ot me. Only other place in UK I've seen them is centre parcs Whinfell forest, which protect and feed the reds. It's great to have these few sanctuaries scattered around the UK.

[@celestenova777]

I have only ever seen one red squirrel and that was on Brownsea island. They seem quite timid and smaller than the greys. Great you saw all the birds, thanks Liam.

[@williamrobinson7435]

I'm sorry you didn't see the reds, but there's a lot in this film. I particularly like owls, when I can get to see them, and this barn owl here is a beauty. A big thumbs up 👍to the lady who let you into her squirrel observatory, very kind of her. Nice one Liam and better luck next time! 🌟👍

[@MegaVector2011]

They are doing a re-introduction program where I am in North Yorkshire and they are successfully breeding. The Red Kite re-introduction scheme has been hugely successful so hope this one follows suit. They are slowly starting to re-establish themselves in Dalby forest, so it seems to be going well.

[@Dec26th]

Seen them at Formby near Liverpool and at Wastwater in Cumbria visiting bird table outside Wastwater Hotel when having breakfast.

[@mrsmith4662]

That's proper wildlife huning - sometines you do and sometimes you don't , but still plenty to see.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Cheers! Thats how it goes sometimes and I am okay with that :)

[@HelenaMikas]

A great video Liam and you will see a red squirrel of this I'm sure ..The kindness of people made your video so special .Native to Britain believe me . Mentioning kindness I want to thank you re the Nikon P950 .I have started carrying it each day and have had some success .All thanks to you 🙂Have yet to make a video using material .Watch this space. Have a great week and here's to a red squirrel .All the best from Helena .You had the sea , something I really do miss .Cheers for now .

[@suzyjay8105]

Thanks for trying so hard! Love your channel!

[@patricksmith4424]

In the 1970s There used to be red squirrels in Horsford woods about 5 miles north of Norwich. By the eighties they had all gone. What's interesting is that at that point grey squirrels were no where to be seen in that area, so maybe it was not just the invasive greys that did for the reds.

[@bobsteele9581]

I've been red squirrel spotting a couple of times. Once at Eskrigg Woodland Park near Lockerbie in Dumfriesshire, and once at Threave Park in Galloway. Both times were very successful and I took some great pictures of the squirrels. It was absolutely essential to be in a hide though, because you can rest assured if they can see you, you wont see them.

[@timmienorrie]

Outbreak of squirrel pox in my area in the red population. It stops them feeding so they die in around 2 weeks. Lots of worrying going on. Cases confirmed by a local university and an Oxford institute.

[@johnpark8297]

Thanks for taking us along on this trip. Shame you didn’t get to see any on the day I’m sure you will next time. Top work Liam 👍

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you! Theres always next time :)

[@jess53nz]

What a pity you didn't see any. Growing up reading squirrel nutkin i didn't know they weren't common there any more!

[@Pixieworksstudio]

Thank you so much for this. The only bird I saw on the river this week was a solitary white throated dipper, but our river is so high and treacherous at the moment

[@quirkygreece]

Bad luck Liam - but persistence pays off, so I’m sure you’ll keep going and find one eventually.

[@lin462]

I feel your frustration. I've travelled through a lot of red squirrel areas up here in Scotland but only ever saw one on the Isle of Arran. You know where to come if all else fails.

[@dm1946]

Pitty Liam, but hopefully next time more luck. Great video.

[@Buster-pw5dv]

Thank you for trying.You are brilliant

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you for watching, im sure I will see them at some point in the future.

[@EIixir]

If you can afford the trip Brownsea Isle has some adventerous red squirrels.

[@paulwarner5674]

Lol ROFL. What next the Yeti? Isle of Wight and Brownsea Island. But that is a bit far for you to travel. Loved the Robin. And Curlew. Grey squirrels in my garden in Cheltenham but no reds.

[@Dai-Verse-IT]

Last time I saw a red squirrel was in a hotel garden feeding box on the island of Jersey. 🙁

[@gerrimilner9448]

Isle of whight i saw the movement of one diapering once, but don't go often. brown-sea island is a certain, they leave food by the windows of the cafe it is rare not to see them there and coffee and cake

[@LudwigHohlwein1776]

I'm sure someone must have mentioned it already, but Brownsea island has an isolated population of red squirrels. Beautiful place to visit in Poole harbour, Dorset. Great RSPB spot at nearby Arne if you want to see spoonbills too. One of the loveliest nature reserve areas in the UK. Cheers

[@iantait309]

Hi Liam, I'm sorry that you did not see any Red Squrrels. I am fortunate to live on the Isle Of Wight and have seen many. We have no Greys. Might be worth a longer boat trip!

[@orangeedo]

Thanks for this, I've been planning the same trip myself as I'm only 45mins away from there. I have a feeling you'll be back.

[@EdMcF1]

I've seen a red squirrel three times: in the glens of Antrim, Northern Ireland, near Allenhead in Weardale in the Pennines, and once running across a busy road (successfully) in Munich.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

I am hoping to get over to visit a friend in northern ireland later this year. If I do, he works at a country park where they see red squirrels all the time so I would be in with a good chance of seeing them.

[@Jaded-Wanderer]

Another great video.

[@muntermaster]

I hope you get to see a Red squirrel, as they’re lovely little characters with their ear tufts and dainty build, unlike the greys. I am lucky to live in possibly the best area in the country to see reds. We have a pine and birch woodland on the coast which is designated a Red Squirrel reserve and home to many species of bird. A couple of weeks back whilst practising my golf at my local driving range I saw 4 chasing each other in circles up a pine tree. I went closer to look knowing I’d be just playing hide and seek with them as they love nothing more than running round the opposite side of the tree to where you are. Great fun though! If you’re ever up in the north I’d love to take you to some amazing places where you can see a wealth of wild life, including the reds, and I don’t just mean the local football team😂

[@XtraOrdinar-y]

Great video liam

[@heff1964]

Snaizeholme near Hawes in Yorkshire is a great place for reds. Easy to see and were coming so close it was hard to take pictures!

[@timroot4207]

Thank you Liam !!!

[@jpronan8757]

Better luck next time Liam, I've never seen a red squirrel myself or a badger. Which is strange because people make a big deal when they spot deer, but I've spotted a few in the woods near me.

[@DesmondsDonders]

That Sparrowhawk was acting as a decoy for the squirrels, lovely video.

[@jonm7272]

I can recommend the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park in the Scottish Trossachs, saw a couple here this morning. Long drive from Essex though 😊

[@johnlangham877]

A bit late in the season now but I recommend looking for yew trees with berry’s on the ground. I have five or six every morning looking for the berries in the grass. Also think they feed in the morning then go back to their dray

[@steddie4514]

You should come up to west Lancashire. There are lots at the crematorium in Southport and even more in the nature reserve at Formby Point. I've even seen them around my caravan in Scaribrick...good vid btw 👍

[@raphlvlogs271]

a population of red squirrels that had developed a resistance (immunity) against the diseases passed by grey squirrels will eventually survive and live alongside them

[@golwgfan]

Hi, if you ever come to North Wales I can show you places that you are pretty much guaranteed to see reds.

[@Colinking2127]

The only red squirrel I've ever seen was as a child in the 1950s at Windsor. Great Park just before they disappeared from there. It's such a shame that you did not get to see any reds.

[@peteryoung4957]

It's a shame Liam you didn't get to see some red squirrels. I've been fortunate, that I've seen them on the Isle of Wight, public footpath that runs from Shanklin to Ventor along the coast and Brownsea Island.

[@Alan.92n]

Shame Liam that the red squirrels were elusive. At least you saw plenty of birdlife, including some of my favourites, the curlew and the oystercatcher. Thanks for sharing. 😊 👍

[@rimizoem]

Nice work, I once saw a red squirrel on the Isle of Wight....

[@ddoherty5956]

Need to hunt greys if you want to see reds and many of our songbird species.

[@James48535]

Lo when I was a small boy of 10yrs old in 1978 my fathers parents took all 3 of us grand kids to Fountains Abbey near Ripon in North Yorkshire the place was heaving with red squirrels I’ll find out if it’s still the case and if you ever come up here to North Yorkshire you could go to Fountains Abbey to see them

[@petemoring67]

That's a shame! ... Great to see you came across Good, friendly Folk on your trip though 🙂

[@brianhorewood3892]

Isle of Wight , brownsea island and Moffat in Scotland is where you find red easy

[@Vikface1978]

Yeah was gonna say Brownsea Island there are some.

[@dodder7686]

Hi Liam, Love your shots of wildlife. Do you know anything about Black Squirrels? they are quite prolific where i live in Hertfordshire.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you. I don't know too much about them specifically, although they are actually melanistic grey squirrels. It's thought that they are more common in the UK than in the native grey squirrels range because of the small founding population we have here.

[@BlueJayKRO]

Well worth the trip anyway buddy

[@nickrider5220]

It was a lovely video, shame our native red squirrels didn't want to say hello, next time 👍🏻

[@JPLamoureuxsTravels]

Essex Border control didn't tell me they let you in! HEADS WILL ROLL!!! 😂If I'd know i'd have told my little ginger mates to show themselves 😉😂 WHAT teasing me with More cake! 😳 oooooh CAKE 🍰 i miss cake 😢😂, Great vid as always bud shame you didn't see the reds but as you say theres always next time!

[@michaelheyes1023]

Drive further north to Winfell Center Parcs and you will get your feed of red squirrels

[@christrella3134]

I think you did well in spite of being squirreless. Maybe the Sparrow Hawk drove a small bird into the hedges.

[@michaelw2288]

For any US visitors, we don't actually hunt squirrel in the UK. Reds are very rare, being out-competed by larger American gray squirrel

[@robincrawley1475]

I’ve been many times as well as going for seafood and the native oysters .. seen the barn owl flying along the bank of the Coast was amazing but still to find a red squirrel but will keep hunting 😂

[@geoffharding7779]

Shame you didn't see any - this time. Admire your perseverance. I don't like hanging around too long in one spot either tbh, but I'm certainly looking forward to next time when I'm sure you'll see them. 🤞

[@philparker97]

Well, at least you saw a Barn Owl! I would love to see a red squirrel again - I was cycling back from Scotland and stopped at Alston youth Hostel, and when I got showered and sat in the lounge, which was also a viewing area for red squirrels, they turned up on cue. Serendipity! I haven't seen one since.

[@nickwebb9290]

Liam, Brownsea Island in Poole Bay would be an excellent bet

[@rodpeterson4857]

Thank you for your efforts always an enjoyable watch 👍🏻

[@gillianrands4019]

Hi Liam!!!!!!

[@AShotOfWildlife]

That was quick Ciara!

[@philiptaylor7902]

Thanks for the video Liam, better luck next time. Last time I saw a red squirrel was a very brief glimpse of one at Balmoral Castle a couple of years back. Keep looking!

[@LordJambers]

Seen quite a few on the Isle of Wight

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Isle of wight is on the list for sure!

[@fenradast3577]

I would suggest you go to The Botanic Gardens at Ventnor Isle of Wight.

[@MichaelAyden]

Quite the venture tho no red squirrel 🐿️ was nice to watch. Thanks

[@sh8736]

Come to the Woburn estate and see black squirrels! 😊

[@badnervesbrown]

That was very interesting nonetheless 🙂 There's a population of black squirrels in Letchworth you could check out, I saw one from a train once and googled them - melanistic greys

[@alejandrayalanbowman367]

The only place I have ever seen them is in the Lake District.

[@Lakedistrictrider]

Unlucky. Quite a long way from you but fortunately there's a few places where you can still see reds in Cumbria. We saw a small colony a couple of months ago.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thanks. I didnt know they were around last year when I visited cumbria, but when I go back I will keep an eye out for them. Cheers

[@Lakedistrictrider]

They're not everywhere but are surviving in certain locations. Unfortunately one colony at Rutter Force seems to have perished earlier this year due to pox

[@jillatherton4660]

"Seek, and ye shall find."

[@ukwildlife]

You are not the 1st and wont be the last person to go to Mersea to see Red Squirrels and not see them. I live in Essex, but I haven't seen them yet! I even know one of the main people involved in reintroducing them a little bit too! Rather worryingly they seem to be getting more and more Grey Squirrels on the island, but the Red seem to be doing Ok despite this so far.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Oh wow. Before I went I was perhaps overly confident that if I went there solely looking for them, I would be in with a high chance.... but it was still good fun and im sure ill be back soon enough and will hopefully have more success.

[@Mgh-r]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤hi dear liam ❤❤❤❤ thank uuu

[@michaelfrancis7072]

If you want to see Red Squirrels on Mersea Island, the best place to look is East Mersea, not West. You need to travel up the road a fair distance though, that's where I've seen them.

[@KimHojbergJensen]

Strange to me. In Denmark I have never seen other han red squirrels, and they are common. If nowhere else, you can always go to a cemetery.

[@stuartwoodburn2653]

It a shame you didn’t find a squirrel, I live in south Nederland and you know we only see red squirrels. Sorry that is no comfort but will see one soon nice video 😊