Red squirrel sightings on the Isle of Wight have dropped noticeably this year, with far fewer roadkills, garden visits and rescued young being reported – raising alarm among conservationists.
Residents who regularly see red squirrels in their gardens have said their local visitors are turning up far less often, or have vanished entirely. While it is normal for female squirrels to reduce activity while raising their first litters, this period should now be over.
It is also typical for red squirrels to return to gardens in May to July when natural food is scarce. However, this spring has seen an unusually high number of oak apples, which may explain why some squirrels are less reliant on garden feeders. Still, the lack of roadkill – a common indicator of population activity – remains unexplained and concerning.
In a usual year, several young squirrels (known as kittens) are brought in for care during the spring. So far, this has not happened, suggesting fewer births or increased mortality.
The Wight Squirrel Project, which monitors the species across the Isle of Wight, is calling on the public to share any sightings – or lack thereof – to help them assess the situation.
Reports can be submitted via the website at www.wightsquirrels.co.uk using the online form or app.
Alternatively, sightings can be emailed to [email protected]. For those who prefer to speak to someone directly, the project can be contacted by phone on 01983 611003.
They are not dropping in my garden. I see them most mornings.
You’re going to see even less now the council have green lit the increase in building.
They’ll be swimming across the Solent to get away from it all (along with many residents)
The poor sods cannot afford the ferry crossings.
Join the club.
And they want to chop down the majority of Firestone coppice. That’ll help the red squirrels
Road kills an indicator off the population levels that says it all shame on us