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Keep Your Eyes on Kielder    Reds Thank Banks      Great North Squirrel Quest     Interface Surveys 

Keep Your Eyes on Kielder (Jan 2010)

Red squirrel interpretation developments are moving fast at Kielder Castle with lots of help.  The Castle is owned and managed by the Forestry Commission who have generously donated a whole room to raise awareness about red squirrels.  Forestry Commission staff have already installed cameras in a secret part of the forest to film red squirrels on a feeder - visitors to the squirrel room can see live footage of squirrels and other animals at the feeders.

Ross Associates Interpretation Consultants are working closely with Save our Squirrels and the Forestry Commission to develop a set fun, interesting interactive displays all about red squirrels and the reasons why Kielder Forest is so vital to the conservation of the mammal we all love so much. 

Two local schools - Kielder First and Greenhaugh First - have been closely involved in the developments.  They gave suggestions as to things that would make the Squirrel Room interesting and fun and drew wonderful pictures of red squirrels. 

Students at Northumbria University Computer Department are also lending their expertise, by developing a computer game to help visitors to the Squirrel Room learn more about how forest management can help red squirrels. 

The Red Squirrel Room should be completed by early April 2010 and a nearby squirrel and wildlife hide is also being planned for completion this year.  So if you are really keen to see red squirrels and find out more about them, do take a trip up to Kielder and visit the Castle.  After all - at least half of England's red squirrels live there!

Reds Thank Banks (Oct 2009)

The survival of red squirrels in the Greater Morpeth area has been given an enormous boost after a £10,000 donation from regional developer The Banks Group.

Red squirrels in the town have been under serious threat of localised extinction, as the town has become invaded by hordes of non-native grey squirrel looking to set up permanent residence in its parks and gardens.  The only way to save Morpeth's remaining red squirrels is to remove grey squirrels from the Greater Morpeth area.

Save our Squirrels has just received funding from the Banks Community Fund to work with local volunteers from Morpeth Red Squirrels in delivering a strategic grey squirrel control project.  This donation, which coincides with the start of Red Squirrel Week and the launch of the second Great North Squirrel Quest, will pay for a full-time control officer to work for 6 months in and around the town; additional traps to support their activities, and public engagement materials.

Save our Squirrels believes that the impact on local biodiversity will extend beyond saving our radiant redheads.  Carri Nicholson, SoS Project Manager said: "The arrival of the grey squirrel in Morpeth has not only threatened our native reds but also had an impact on the local songbird population.  With this generous help from the Banks Group, people should start to hear more ground-nesting songbirds in their gardens again, and we can set about painting the town red!"

Norris Atthey, Chair of Morpeth Red Squirrels, is delighted with the support Banks is giving to help save his beloved red squirrels in the town.

He says: "This is obviously great news, and shows that the control of grey squirrels is recognised by all concerned as essential to the survival of our reds. However it is most important to stress that members of public who are currently trapping in the Greater Morpeth area continue their effort - especially in areas known to contain greys where reds have started to be seen once more. This funding really is a step forward and hopefully will convince any doubters that we are intent in protecting our reds."

Banks Group Environment and Community Director Mark Dowdall adds: "We're delighted to be able to support this collaborative and innovative project that will have a lasting impact on local biodiversity - not to mention helping ensure that Morpeth becomes a safe haven for one of Britain's most iconic and engaging mammals"

The Banks Community Fund is administered by the County Durham Foundation.  Projects, community groups, or organisations looking for funding in the vicinity of a Banks Group development should contact  Clare Johnson on 0191 383 0055.   

The results of these surveys could provide us with early warnings of areas where greys are moving in and will ensure that conservation efforts are targeted to the correct areas. If you would like more information, contact Mark Wilkinson.

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