New Red Squirrel Group in Favour Royal

A group of local volunteers have formed a new Red Squirrel Group to protect and look after red squirrels in Favour Royal Forest, Augher. With the help of funding from NI Environment Link, the River Blackwater Catchment Trust has facilitated local people living around Favour Royal Forest to set up a feeding station to monitor and protect the existing red squirrel population.

Once widespread throughout the island of Ireland our red squirrel population is currently confined to a few strongholds throughout the province. Habitat loss and the invasion of the non-native grey squirrel are factors causing the decline of the charismatic red squirrel. The grey squirrels are larger in size, which allows them to out-compete red squirrels for food. They also have a wider dietary range, which allows them to utilise foods such as unripe acorns which are toxic to red squirrels. The grey squirrels also carry squirrel pox (SQPV), which greys appear to tolerate but which is normally fatal to red squirrels.

A new Red Squirrel Group has been formed in the Favour Royal Forest area, conservation work will involve supplementary feeding and the control of grey squirrel numbers. Mark Wilson, Tony McElroy and Roy Hetherington erecting squirrel feeders in Favour Royal Forest A number of local people are believed to have already erected feeders and enjoy watching and photographing red squirrels here in Favour Royal. Mark stated “We would love anyone interested in helping us to get in touch, at  info@businessmediasolutions.co.uk. Through working together we can share information on squirrel behaviour, hygiene around the feeders and source funds for the purchase of feed.”