{"id":58049,"title":"Red Squirrels and the Healthy Woodlands They Depend On","description":"Why healthy trees and woodland matter more than ever. There is something special about spotting a red squirrel disappearing through the branches of a woodland tree. But for these small native mammals, life isn\u2019t always easy. Climate change can affect red squirrels by changing the availability and timing of the food they depend on, as well as putting pressure on the woodland habitats they need to survive","content":"

\"ixlyenyz5q5vn1bry8bmimdygccjiirqskgrd056pdxephht.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=auto\"<\/p>

Why healthy trees and woodland matter more than ever<\/span><\/strong><\/p>

There is something special about catching sight of a red squirrel disappearing through the branches. One moment it\u2019s there, the next it\u2019s gone \u2014 racing through the trees with a mouthful of food.<\/span><\/p>

For red squirrels, though, woodland is much more than a beautiful place to live. It provides food, shelter and the routes they need to move between different parts of their territory. And as our climate changes, keeping those woodlands healthy is becoming increasingly important.<\/span><\/p>

Autumn is a busy time for red squirrels<\/span><\/strong><\/p>

Red squirrels don\u2019t hibernate, so they need to make the most of autumn.<\/span><\/p>

As the days shorten, they spend much of their time searching for nuts, seeds and fungi. Some are eaten straight away, while others are hidden in different places to be found later.<\/span><\/p>

This is known as scatter hoarding. A squirrel might bury food in dozens of hiding places rather than keeping everything together. It\u2019s a clever survival strategy \u2014 although remembering where all those little stores are must be quite a challenge.<\/span><\/p>

The availability of that food depends heavily on the trees around them. Extreme heat, drought and changing seasons can affect when trees produce seeds and nuts, and how much food is available.<\/span><\/p>

When food becomes harder to find, squirrels may need to travel further and compete more for what remains.<\/span><\/p>

The trees red squirrels need<\/span><\/strong><\/p>

For a red squirrel, a woodland is a food cupboard, shelter and nursery all rolled into one.<\/span><\/p>

Hazel provides nutritious hazelnuts, while sweet chestnut can be an important source of autumn food. Conifers such as Scots pine and Norway spruce provide seeds at different times of year, helping to keep food available through the colder months.<\/span><\/p>

Connected woodland matters too. Squirrels need to be able to move between feeding and nesting areas, rather than finding themselves isolated in small patches of habitat.<\/span><\/p>

That is why protecting individual trees matters \u2014 but protecting whole, connected woodlands matters even more.<\/span><\/p>

Red squirrels and grey squirrels<\/span><\/strong><\/p>

Red squirrels face another challenge: competition from grey squirrels.<\/span><\/p>

Grey squirrels are larger and can compete with reds for food and habitat. They can also carry squirrelpox virus, which usually has little effect on grey squirrels but can be fatal to red squirrels.<\/span><\/p>

When natural food supplies are low, competition can become even more significant.<\/span><\/p>

The Isle of Wight is particularly important for red squirrel conservation because grey squirrels are absent from the island. This makes the island a rare stronghold for red squirrels in England.<\/span><\/p>

If you spot one, reporting the sighting can help conservationists monitor the population and understand how it is changing.<\/span><\/p>

What happens to red squirrels in winter?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>

Autumn isn\u2019t just about collecting food.<\/span><\/p>

Red squirrels also gather fungi, sometimes wedging mushrooms into branches where they can dry out. They repair and reinforce their dreys with leaves, moss and twigs, getting ready for colder weather.<\/span><\/p>

They don\u2019t hibernate, but they can spend longer periods sheltering in their dreys when conditions are particularly cold or wet. Their winter coat also becomes thicker, and they cuddle up with their bushy tails to help them cope with lower temperatures.<\/span><\/p>

How can we help?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>

The best thing we can do for red squirrels is protect the habitats they depend on.<\/span><\/p>

Healthy, connected woodland provides food throughout the year, places to nest and safe routes between different areas. Planting suitable native trees can also help provide food for future generations of wildlife.<\/span><\/p>

If you live somewhere with red squirrels, local conservation groups can advise on ways to support them. Supplementary feeding isn\u2019t appropriate everywhere, so it\u2019s important to follow local guidance.<\/span><\/p>

And sometimes helping wildlife starts with something as simple as noticing what is growing around us.<\/span><\/p>

A tree can look like just another part of the landscape. But to a red squirrel, it can mean breakfast, shelter, a nesting place and somewhere safe to raise its young.<\/span><\/p>

Why protecting trees protects so much more<\/span><\/strong><\/p>

Red squirrels are just one part of a much bigger woodland story.<\/span><\/p>

The same trees provide food and shelter for birds, insects and mammals. Their roots support fungi and soil life, while their leaves, flowers, seeds and fallen branches create countless habitats.<\/span><\/p>

A healthy woodland is not simply a collection of trees. It is a living network of species that depend on one another.<\/span><\/p>

And perhaps that is why protecting trees matters more than ever. When we look after the woodland, we aren\u2019t just protecting one species \u2014 we\u2019re helping to protect an entire ecosystem.<\/span><\/p>

At KyndaWild, we create nature and wildlife-inspired designs because we think the creatures and wild places around us are worth noticing, understanding and protecting.<\/span><\/p>

\"Young\"A<\/p>","urlTitle":"how-does-climate-change-affect-red-squirrels","url":"\/blog\/how-does-climate-change-affect-red-squirrels\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/how-does-climate-change-affect-red-squirrels\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/kyndawild.com\/blog\/how-does-climate-change-affect-red-squirrels\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1788119989,"updatedAt":1788278065,"publishedAt":1788278065,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":274167,"name":"Kynda Wild"},"tags":[],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/jsck8z8onsr1hblm1ceg9ddikgqoizpp8uhiidkk4uiodjif.jpeg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/jsck8z8onsr1hblm1ceg9ddikgqoizpp8uhiidkk4uiodjif.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/jsck8z8onsr1hblm1ceg9ddikgqoizpp8uhiidkk4uiodjif.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"Why Red Squirrels Are at Risk | KyndaWild","metaDescription":"Discover how extreme heat, changing seasons and food shortages are putting red squirrels at risk, and why a changing climate could threaten their future.","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[],"labels":[]}