A red squirrel
Threatened red squirrels have a massive new reserve in one of the remotest parts of the Yorkshire Dales.
More than 1,000ha (2,471 acres) of forest in Langstrothdale have been designated a reserve. Red squirrels have already been spotted in the area, which consists of maturing pine trees.
The land, at Greenfield, near Beckermonds, will be England’s 17th red squirrel reserve. The species has been under threat from its bigger cousin the grey squirrel.
Greenfield is managed by forestry company UPM Tilhill. The firm has worked with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, the Forestry Commission, Save Our Squirrels and Red Alert North England.
The forest lies close to the route of the Dales Way national trail.
Ian Court, wildlife conservation officer with the national park authority said: “The designation of Greenfield as a red squirrel reserve will have a real positive impact on the red squirrel population within the national park and will help to ensure their long term survival in the Dales.”
Richard Pow from the Forestry Commission and chairman of Red Alert North England added: “The red squirrel reserves represent the focal points for red squirrel conservation and are critical in the fight to save the species in northern England. We are delighted to add Greenfield to the list.”
UPM Tilhill will now apply to the Forestry Commission for grant aid under the English Woodland Grant Scheme to help implement and fund the management of the reserve to give the red squirrel population the best possible chance of expansion and survival.
The forests of Greenfield: red squirrel heaven
George Hay, forest manager for the company, said: “We are delighted with the news that Greenfield has become the 17th red squirrel reserve in England.
“Its size, species distribution and robustness make it a valuable site capable of supporting a large and healthy red squirrel population.”
Coniferous woodland, particularly spruce forests, can provide a safe haven for red squirrels as the habitat is not favoured by greys. The seed size is small and better suited to the smaller red squirrel.
Volunteers from the national park authority have confirmed the presence of reds at Greenfield which coincides with the maturing of the site’s coniferous trees, now seeding and providing a vital food source for the species.
A spokesperson for the authority said the new reserve follows on from the creation of reserves and associated buffer zones in Garsdale, Mallerstang and Widdale and will ensure red squirrels can continue to flourish in the Yorkshire Dales at a time when smaller woodlands at the nearby Widdale red squirrel reserve approach felling age.
Meanwhile, the Save Our Squirrels group is appealing to walkers to report any sightings of either red or grey squirrels in the North of England so it can monitor the activities of both around the red squirrel reserves. Reports can be made online at the group’s website.
