How to attract red squirrels

Creating an Inviting Haven for British Red Squirrels in Your Garden

British red squirrels, with their vibrant red coats and playful nature, have always been an iconic part of the British countryside. Sadly, their population has declined dramatically in recent years due to habitat loss and competition with their American grey cousins. However, by taking a few simple steps, you can encourage these delightful creatures to visit and hopefully thrive in your garden. Here are some ideas to help you create a haven for British red squirrels.

1. Providing suitable habitat:

Red squirrels prefer woodlands or areas with plenty of trees, so consider planting a variety of native deciduous and coniferous trees in your garden. Trees such as oak, hazel, beech, Scots pine, or non native spruce can act as a natural food source and shelter for them. The presence of such trees will instantly make your garden more appealing to them.

2. Offering nesting opportunities:

Red squirrels build dreys, which are leafy nests made from twigs, leaves, and moss high up in trees. Providing nest boxes or platforms, positioned at least a few metres above ground level, can encourage them to settle in your garden. Place these boxes in areas with good tree cover, ensuring they are hidden from any potential predators.

3. Food provision:

Enhance your garden's squirrel-friendly reputation by offering a range of natural food sources. Red squirrels enjoy a diverse diet consisting of nuts (especially hazelnuts), seeds, berries, buds, and insects. You can scatter some nuts or seed mix on the ground or use squirrel feeders to make food accessible. Avoid using peanuts, as they can be harmful to squirrels. Additionally, consider planting flowering plants or shrubs that produce nuts or berries, such as hazelnut trees, rowan, or hawthorn, to give them a varied feast.

4. Water sources:

Squirrels need to stay hydrated, especially during warmer months. Provide a shallow water source like a birdbath or a small pond with sloped edges to act as a watering hole for the red squirrels. Ensure it is easily visible and replenish the water regularly to maintain its freshness.

5. Creating a safe haven:

Minimising disturbances and creating a tranquil environment is crucial for red squirrel attraction. Try to reduce noise levels and avoid introducing potential threats to their safety, such as free-roaming cats or dogs. Removing feeders frequented by larger birds can help promote a peaceful setting for red squirrels to feel comfortable and secure.

Incorporating these measures into your garden, local park, churchyard, or farm,  can attract British red squirrels, providing them with a safe and appealing habitat. Remember, attracting wildlife takes time and patience, so persistence is key. With a little effort, you can contribute to the conservation of these wonderful creatures, ensuring their ongoing presence in the British countryside for generations to come.

Note - Unfortunately, some places are now red squirrel free areas, so the above ideas are unlikely to work, but if you live in a stronghold region, the above could really help attract them. If you live in a region that borders a stronghold area, do the above to maximise their chances of regaining territory this century!

In 1945 Red Squirrels were found in almost the whole of Britain, except for the tip of Scotland, Grey Squirrels were only found in parts of Southern England and Lincolnshire. By the year 2000, Red Squirrels had vanished from almost the whole of England and Wales, with Grey Squirrels rapidly expanding their territory, to cover almost the whole of England and Wales. 

Strongholds for the Red Squirrel in 2023 are 

Formby, Lancashire

Anglesey, Wales

Isle of Wight

Cumbria

Northumberland

Dumfries & Galloway

Scottish Highlands

First published -  29th December, 2023.

Image:

Creative commons - Rebecca Prest / Unsplash

Five great dwarf conifers for gardens

There are many reasons to love dwarf conifers. They are slow-growing, low maintenance, and compact, making them perfect for small spaces. They come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, so you can find the perfect one for your garden. And, they are relatively easy to care for. They are ideal for rock gardens, amongst alpine plants.

Here are five great dwarf conifers for the garden:

Dwarf Alberta Spruce

This dwarf conifer is a popular choice for gardens. It is slow-growing and compact, reaching a height of just 3-4 feet. It has a pyramidal shape and dense, dark green needles.

Dwarf Blue Spruce

Dwarf blue spruce is another slow-growing conifer, reaching a height of just 4-5 feet. It has a compact, globe-shaped form and blue-green needles.

Dwarf Hinoki Cypress

Dwarf hinoki cypress is a compact conifer that only grows to a height of 2-3 feet. It has a dense, pyramidal form and dark green needles.

Dwarf Japanese Cedar

Dwarf Japanese cedar is a slow-growing conifer, reaching a height of just 4-6 feet. It has a compact, globe-shaped form and dense, dark green needles.

Dwarf White Spruce

Dwarf white spruce is a slow-growing conifer, reaching a height of just 4-6 feet. It has a compact, globe-shaped form and dense, white tinged green needles.

Image

Dwarf Blue Spruce / Famartin

First published -  23rd December, 2022

Relaxation - English field on a summer evening

 

This 32 minute video is for relaxation. The lovely sounds of an English midsummer's evening, in the countryside. Play it in the background while you are meditating, studying, or reading a book. Whether you are on the top floor of an apartment complex in Sydney, Australia trying to get to sleep, or sitting in a Norwegian cabin in the middle of darkest winter, reading the Hobbit. This will bring to you, a little piece of tranquil English countryside in midsummer.

Grey heron in flight

 

A Grey heron in flight. Before you watch the short video, have a guess what the length of their wingspan is.

Common gorse - Ulex europaeus

 A video about Common gorse, a spiky, yellow flowered shrub that is commonly found on moorland.

Yew Hedging

Yew hedges are renowned for their beauty, and are often found in the finest historic gardens of Britain. Made from the native conifer Yew, they are also suitable for average sized residential gardens. Kept well pruned, they make an attractive, dense, robust, bushy hedge.

• Plant between October and March

• Once the young plants are in a straight line, only prune the sides, keep the tops of the plants, and do not prune so they are in a flat line. This will maximise the annual plant growth (about 30cm a year). Once at the height you want the hedge you can then remove the tips, so you have a traditional flat top hedge.

• Trimming Yew hedges will make them dense and bushy. You can trim at most times of the year without a problem, just not on the coldest of days.

• For any major changes to the hedge, prune in winter when the Yew is semi-dormant. Also, do one side only, and leave the other side for the following year.

• Unlike some conifers, Yew will sprout new growth on old wood, so even if severely pruned, the hedge will grow new leaves on the exposed old woody stems. (This might take a couple of years.)

• If a Yew hedge has been left to grow, to rejuvenate it, prune the long stems right back, to encourage new bushy, dense growth. 

• A robust native conifer, it will tolerate all types of soil and weather conditions, but does not do well in water logged ground with poor drainage.

• Yew can last for centuries.

View the video below to see a fine example of a well pruned, mature Yew hedge, in fantastic condition.

Buy Yew hedging from Thompson and Morgan HERE

Ground cover plants for low maintenance gardens

 

Looking to save time, water and money on your lawn this summer? Landscaping with ground cover plants, is a great way to create a beautiful outdoor space that doesn't require a lot of water or maintenance. Once planted they will create a nectar rich colourful tapestry of ground cover plants, that require no mowing. Fake plastic grass is expensive, terrible for nature and the environment, and can stink in the summer if you have pets. Ground cover plants are much cheaper than plastic grass, and look so much nicer than fake lawns. Here are five ground cover plants that make great substitutes for grass or plastic grass:

Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)

Creeping Jenny is a fast-spreading, low-growing plant that forms a dense mat of foliage. It's a great choice for covering large areas of ground, and its pretty yellow flowers add a splash of colour.

Stonecrop (Sedum spp.)

Stonecrop is a hardy succulent that comes in a variety of colours and forms. It's perfect for hot, dry areas of the garden where grass won't grow well, and its fleshy leaves store water, making it drought tolerant.

Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina)

Lamb's ear is a soft, fuzzy plant that's often used as a ground cover or in rock gardens. It's drought tolerant and low maintenance, and its silver-grey leaves add a beautiful contrast to other green plants in the garden.

Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)

Bugleweed is a fast-spreading ground cover that forms a dense mat of foliage. It's perfect for shady areas of the landscape where grass won't grow, and its pretty blue flowers add colour to the garden in spring.

Roman chamomile, (Chamaemelum nobile)

Best known for it's herbal use as a tea, Chamomile also makes a lovely, informal and low maintenance lawn, with apple scented, daisy-like, flowers. A perfect alternative to a grass turf lawn in small gardens.

First published. 30th December, 2022

Images:

Creative commons;

1st image from the top - Sedum anglicum / Banangraut - Wikimedia

2nd image - Roman chamomile, Chamaemelum nobile / H Zell  - Wikimedia