There are a number of ways that you can get involved in red squirrel conservation in the county or your own local area, as follows:
- Contact your local Biodiversity Officer and get on the mailing list so you can hear about local talks and walks. They may also be able to tell you if there is a wood or forest closeby that you can visit in the hope of seeing red squirrels.
- Record your sightings and submit these to either your local Biodiversity Officer or CEDaR, the Center for Environmental Data and Recording, an arm of the Ulster Museum which is responsible for collecting and collating wildlife records for Northern Ireland.
- Become a member of FRSG and manage a red squirrel feeder in your garden or local wood (only where there are no grey squirrels present). There are Codes of Practice that need to be followed if you plan to do this, to ensure you do not inadvertently spread any disease or virus.
- If you have red squirrels close to your home, you could perhaps manage your garden or land in a way that is sympathetic to red squirrels. Red squirrels are arboreal species, spending most of their time in trees so you could perhaps help by connecting fragmented habitats through tree planting. Contact the FRSG or NISF to find out which tree species are the best to plant in your area as you do not want to encourage grey squirrels in either!
- Grey squirrel control is undoubtedly key to the conservation of our red squirrel populations. If you feel this is something you could help with, please contact either the FRSG or the NISF. It is really important that best practice is followed if involved in this activity.
- Fermanagh’s Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) outlines the county’s natural heritage and should educate and inspire you to work for the conservation of the diversity of habitats and species that we are very lucky to have in Fermanagh.
