Red Squirrel

[StratManiac]

Hey all.

I was out the other day in Hertfordshire and spotted a Red Squirrel
Are Red squirrels normally seen here? We do have grey squirrels as everyone else does and
we also have black. But not reds, not that i can recall in the last 15 years.

If anyone has spotted a Red Squirrel in the Hertfordshire area I would be
grateful if they post on here.

It would be great to see these little fellows back in our gardens.

Regards

Strat

[thunder]

Strat, are you sure it was a Red Squirrel? Greys can be very red-brown at times. If it was a Red, must be an escape or release

henrya

[welshie]

I was in formby merseyside yesterday and enjoyed seeing red squirrel running around my feet, they love pine forests, so if you spotted a red in a Herts pine forest it could be possible, but just the size of the reds should immediately tell you the difference between the red and grey, the reds are tiny.

I took this pic yesterday of the lovely creature.

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ga...zzzzzz1569.jpg

[kaitkaitkait]

Originally Posted by welshie

I was in formby merseyside yesterday and enjoyed seeing red squirrel running around my feet, they love pine forests, so if you spotted a red in a Herts pine forest it could be possible, but just the size of the reds should immediately tell you the difference between the red and grey, the reds are tiny.

I took this pic yesterday of the lovely creature.

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ga...zzzzzz1569.jpg

Oh, he/she is gorgeous! I don't even remember Red squirrels being around. I have a vague memory of feeding what I thought were reds in a park in London when I was small, but they were probably greys that looked a bit reddish brown. Too long ago to remember correctly.

[thunder]

Quote
but just the size of the reds should immediately tell you the difference between the red and grey, the reds are tiny.
Endquote

Reds are a bit smaller than Greys, but I think 'tiny' is overstating it!

henrya

[StratManiac]

It was a Red. For Certain.

The thin tail and slim toes and the fact it is bright ginger
Also saw a Black this morning on the way to shops, Must put camera in the car.

Cheers for the responses guys, looks like it is here to stay.
The wife saw him again about an hour ago. Im off to see if I can find him and photograph him.

Cheers

Strat

[Meles meles]

Had read a little while ago that red squirrel numbers are raising in some areas. Was sure that it was in counties above Manchester. Knowing their previously known locations and assuming that it is not an escapee or a red squirrel lover on return from IOW/Scotland trying to reintroduce them, It would be interesting to hear if there are any more sightings to indicate that it is the Red Squirrel making a come back.

Either way, Heres to the reds

[thunder]

Almost impossible for it to be a natural recolonisation - the existing colonies are so far away. Most likely to be an escape or release - they do turn up from time to time. We had one in Cambridgeshire a few years ago, killed on the road.

henrya

[kshotton45]

Here's one I took today. There's loads of brown - but it's still a Grey.

Keith.

[StratManiac]

Hi All.

It is without doubt a Red.
I have lots of shots of greys and through the winter they do have a very brown
tone in the fur. This is very common for greys and they lose this colouring thoughout the
spring and summer.

If you look on my website MacroShot UK Gallery - Home you will see a Grey and it was first
thought that it was a hybrid, but once seen by an expert it turned out to be normal common Grey.

Waiting to hear from a friend to see if the little chap has reappeared. Fingers crossed.
Not sure where it would have escaped from around here. Nearest wildlife park is 40 miles away. And they don't have any Red Squirrels.

I will keep looking!!!!

Regards

Strat