Dundee is the only city in Britain lucky enough to have a population of native
Red Squirrels. However our Red Squirrels are under threat from their larger rivals, the American Grey Squirrel which was
introduced to Scotland from America in the early 1900's, and is now causing the Red Squirrels slow
disappearance, making them an endangered species.
The native Red Squirrel population is under threat from the more aggressive American Grey, which is successfully competing
for habitat and food. The Greys debark mature trees, killing the tree. They are also able to digest fruit, buds and flowers
whilst they are still "green" and in the unripe state, which the Red Squirrel cannot do. This results in a shortage of ripe
and mature food later in the season when the Reds are able to feed. The final and possibly most serious influence the American
Grey has over its Red cousin is its immunity to the squirrelpox disease of which it is an immune carrier. Within 15 days
of a Red coming into contact with a Grey carrying the virus - the Red will be dead.
Here in Muirhead, on the outskirts of Dundee (Scotland) in a small woodland enclave, we feed and care for the
Reds in their natural habitat.
We are a husband and wife team who are committed
to helping this endangered species keep a firm foothold in the North East of Scotland. There are now only c.120,000 native
Red Squirrels left in the UK, with an estimated 2,000,000 American Greys competing for the same food and habitat.
Together with help from friends and neighbours we try to help protect this endangered species by maintaining a relatively
secure breeding area, providing sanctuary from predating domestic pets and controlling other animal and environmental
threats where possible.
The money to do this is raised by selling calendars each year featuring superb photographs
of Red Squirrels and other resident and migrating wildlife that inhabit our woodland garden.
