Red Squirrel Awareness Week 2025: Protecting A Species Under Threat

Once a much more common sight in the UK, the numbers of red squirrels on our shores has slowly whittled down throughout the years. Now only seen mainly in Scotland, there has been a conscious effort to try to boost their numbers by conserving red squirrels throughout the UK. Established by the UK Squirrel Accord, Red Squirrel Awareness Week aims to raise awareness of the plight of the reds by hosting talks and events across the country, and by exploring the ways in which we can help a species very much in need.    

When Did Red Squirrels Become Threatened?

According to the Woodland Trust, red squirrel numbers in the UK have been falling dramatically since the introduction of the grey squirrel as an ornamental species in the 1870s. This means that the greys were meant to be kept primarily for their aesthetic value and decorative appeal, rather than practical uses such as food. Since their introduction, the population of reds has dropped from around 3.5 million to an estimate of between 120,000 and 160,000 individuals. The lowest amount is in England where the number is thought to be only 15,000.

What Are The Differences Between Red and Grey Squirrels?

You may think that the only difference between a red and a grey is their colouring, however there are many more features that differ the two cousins. After the difference in the colour, their sizing is another main factor. Grey squirrels are typically larger than red squirrels, with their average length being around 10cm more than their red counterparts. They also weigh a whopping 90% more than red squirrels, with the physique of a grey being more stocky and muscular. Their tails also differ from each other, with the grey having a white tipped tail whilst the reds tail is normally all one solid colour.

An unfortunate advantage that the grey squirrel has over the red in terms of diet is that they are able to eat and digest seeds and nuts before they have fully ripened. This means they are able to strip natural resources before the red squirrels get a chance themselves. Grey squirrels are also known to do massive damage to juvenile trees (especially oak and beech trees) in order to get to the sap.

The most upsetting difference between red and grey squirrels is their reaction to a virus called the 'parapox' virus. The grey squirrel can carry this virus with no real threat to themselves, however if transmitted into a red squirrel, it can make a devastating blow into the red population. This means that co-existing for red and greys is simply not possible, and cross-breeding is off limits as they are different species.

How Can We Help Red Squirrels? 

If you are lucky enough to have red squirrels visiting your home, the easiest way to help them is by making life easier for them. This means providing a little extra food and planting some squirrel-friendly shrubs like bramble, raspberry and dog rose. Reporting any sightings of red squirrel will also help keep track of their movements, which you can do on this page.

Here at The Wildlife Community we also offer some fantastic products for red squirrels that they will enjoy using in your garden or outside space. Our Squirrel Feeder is a fun and inviting way for squirrels to feed themselves, as they can lift the lid to get access to the food inside. The heavy duty feeder is made to withstand the task of squirrel feeding and requires no stains or treatment.

The perfect thing to accompany this is our Nourish Squirrel Food. Developed to be suitable for red squirrels, the mix contains nuts, seeds and grains which incorporate a natural source of calcium. The pine nuts in the mix are also a favourite of the reds. If you don't happen to live near a red squirrel stronghold, the mix is also suitable for grey squirrels as well.

If you are certain to have squirrels close by, you could also provide a home for them to live. Our Red Squirrel Nest Box is handmade and hosts lots of features to keep them protected from predators, such as an internal and external ladder and a pitched roof to keep the rain off. The Red Squirrel Long-Life Nest Box is our premium version of this product, as it boasts a 20 year guarantee. This nest box features a recycled plastic roof and a removable front panel to allow ease of access when cleaning.

Are There Any Red Squirrel Awareness Week Events Happening Near Me?

If you would like to learn more and red squirrels and have the opportunity to try and spot one, the UK Squirrel Accord has compiled a list of events happening around the UK to celebrate Red Squirrel Awareness Week, which you can find here. This includes walks and safaris around places of interest in the UK such as National Trust properties, and monitoring and volunteering days. Who knows what you might see!

Illustrations by Eleanor Raven.