A study into wildlife corridors on the Isle of Wight, carried out by Wight Squirrel Project’s Helen Butler some 30 years after her previous study, has found vast improvements.
The long-awaited document, which has been uploaded to www.wightsquirrels.co.uk, sets out how woodlands today are linked by wildlife corridors. This is 30 years on from the initial survey ‘Corridors of Hope’ by Helen Butler MBE in 1991 and 1992. The document helps provide guidance for those looking to plant trees for reds across the Island.
Helen Butler MBE compiled ‘Corridors of Hope’ back in 1992 and has now revised the subject to see how things compare
3 decades on from Helen’s first study, the latest reports shows that corridor links have improved greatly, largely thanks to the JIGSAW project funded by the Forestry Commission. Landowners have been praised for supporting the project, which is vital to its success. The report also shows the numerous places where squirrels are killed on our roads.
Helen said:
“Red squirrels and other wildlife can disperse across the island using these vital green highways, which is very good news for them. It has taken a long time to put this report together and is part of a much bigger document, recording 30 years of red squirrel work on the Isle of Wight. I took advantage of the lockdowns to get it started and it will take another year to complete”.
The news comes ahead of Red Squirell Appreciation Day on Friday 21st January.
With all the proposed developments starting to destroy greenfield sites, how long before we see these corridors and woods removed for good?
Squirrels don’t live in fields.
Great news the red squirrel should have featured on the iow flag
What happened to the squirrel rope across the road near Bouldner?