Volunteers keen to help re-home squirrels

A dozen people have volunteered to help with a project to release red squirrels into Ledmore and Migdale Woods, near Spinningdale.

The volunteers came forward at a consultation evening held at Bonar Bridge by Trees for Life and the Woodland Trust, which looks after the forest.

Some 20 squirrels are due to be taken from woods across South Highland and Moray - at a rate of two per 200 hectares – and transported to Ledmore and Migdale in early to mid October. following a stringent health check.

Ledmore and Migdale site manager Ross Watson told the Northern Times: “The consultation evening was very well attended, with 34 members of the public were there to hear about the red squirrel release project and the wider work of the Woodland Trust at Ledmore and Migdale.

“Twelve people came forward to volunteer their time to assist with keeping feeders topped up, checking on the health of the new arrivals, monitoring the success of the project, and engaging with the public who come to see the squirrels.”

He added: “On arrival, the squirrels will be distributed in clusters in Migdale Rock SSSI with consent from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and, with time, it is hoped they will colonise woods surrounding the wood and link up with the population building in Balblair and beyond."

The squirrels are transported in special nest boxes, which are fixed to trees at the reintroduction sites. The grass-filled exit holes allow the animals to leave when ready. Food is provided for several months to ease the transition.

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