A new red squirrel hide has been officially opened at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway in Havenstreet, thanks to a joint project between the Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Trust and the Steam Railway.
The hide was unveiled on Wednesday (18th June) by Councillor Ian Dore, Chairman of the Isle of Wight Council, and is already attracting interest from wildlife lovers and nature enthusiasts.
Crafted using locally sourced timber and eco-friendly materials, the hide is designed to blend seamlessly into the woodland setting. It offers a sheltered viewing spot where visitors can observe native red squirrels in their natural habitat without disturbing them.
The hide’s location has been carefully chosen to provide excellent views of the treetops, where red squirrels are often seen foraging and playing. It also features educational boards highlighting the importance of the Isle of Wight’s red squirrel population, their behaviours, and the environmental threats they face.
Helen Butler, from the Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Trust, has said:
“The Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Trust is delighted to be working with the IW Steam Railway to promote the Island’s red squirrels.
“The Isle of Wight is a nationally important stronghold for our only native squirrel species and it’s a good opportunity for people to see a red squirrel.”
Marc Morgan Huws, from the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, says:
“The squirrel hide is an excellent addition to the Steam Railway and offers visitors a place to escape and see what wildlife they can spot. We are extremely grateful to Helen and her team for helping us turn this idea into fruition.”
The new squirrel hide is now open to visitors at Havenstreet station. Entry is included as part of the standard admission to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.
