[Sunflower]

We had the most beautiful visitor one afternoon last week - a red squirrel who scampered along our front wall and disappeared into the trees along the side of the house. He took his time, I had a good look at him and he def wasn't something else.

We live close to Kilcornan in Clarinbridge where they're often seen Galway yet this is the first time I've seen one so close - and v chilled out too!

Anybody else have any experience with them - I'd love to see more of them and I def don't see them as vermin as some do.

One neighbour suggested they're after the bird food but there's a lazy labrador who keeps watch there. He barks at the bigger birds so I'm sure a squirrel would send him nuts

[Good guy]

I've only seen red squirrels three times in my whole life. The first time was at primary school near Enniskillen; there was a wood close to the school and one day I saw a squirrel running up to a high branch on a beech tree.
The second time was in the late 60s, early one morning when I was walking down the pedestrian ramp to Highgate tube statio in London. There was one sitting, cool as you like, on the bank, waiting for titbits.
The third time was a few years ago in Ards Forest Park in Donegal. They are beautiful little creatures.

[tagwex]

They are rare indeed. The greys have decimated them. Interesting story to how the greys were introduced here. Not 100% sure of the facts but here is what I remember. An Earl brought a basket of them to Meath for a wedding present and they got loose Two or three centuries ago. Look it up yourselves.

[medieval knievel]

i think it's not that long ago - only about 100 years ago; i've heard it's the only invasive species introduction which was caught on camera.

there's good news for the reds with the resurgence of pine marten numbers though - worth looking up.

[tagwex]

I would have to wonder whether a pine marten cares whether it eats a red or a grey or is it purely a percentages thing?

[tagwex]

Dug the following out of somewhere.

Grey squirrels are an alien species, originally came from the forests of eastern North America, that were introduced into Ireland in 1911 to Castle Forbes in Co. Longford, (“a wicker hamper containing 8 or 12 squirrels, a wedding present from the Duke of Buckingham to one of the daughters of the house, was opened on the lawn after the wedding breakfast, whereupon the bushy tailed creatures quickly leapt out and scampered off into the woods where they went forth and multiplied”) and sadly, their success has been to the detriment of our native red squirrels. At present they are found mostly in the eastern and northern parts of the country, having colonised 20 counties, with the river Shannon providing some kind of obstacle for their progress into the west of the country.

[medieval knievel]

[kindredspirit]

I've never seen a Pine Marten.

[Good guy]

I saw a pine marten once, near Doolin.
As for the squirrels, I think Wagtex is moving in the right direction (for once). I don't think its a matter of predation by pine martens that holds back the greys, so much as competition for a similar piece of the ecosystem.

[tagwex]

Are you agreeing with me AGAIN bad yug? Wonders will never cease! Anyways that wasn't the point I was making but MK may have made a good point about the greys spending more time on the ground.

[Blowin]

I did see a red about six years ago in the fir woods behind Gougane Barra but understand most of the trees were cleared to prevent a (tree) disease spreading. So, whether or not they've survived, I don't know.

Mercifully, coming from a land where they're everywhere, I haven't seen a grey since arriving in West Cork in 2007. The UK term for the greys is American Tree Rat!

[tagwex]

Well they are a rodent after all. Regularly see greys around here.

[Sunflower]

had a chat with another neighbour who's been here for over 20yrs and he said he used to see loads of them but not so many of late.
When he does it's usually walking his dog through the woods, not so much around here so I feel lucky to have seen it - hope I don't have to wait 20yrs for my next sighting.
We're a loud group when walking in woods with 3 little kids who don't understand the concept of quiet - I won't spot too many with them...they've heard us well before that!

[tagwex]

Spotted a young red this morning in a wood. Who should I report the sighting to?

[Good guy]

Biodiversity Ireland collates all records. They are only up the road from you - next county.