Red Squirrels
The red and the grey squirrel are the two common squirrel species in Ireland and both are found at Woodstock. They are members of the 'Rodentia' family. The red squirrel is native to Ireland but can be difficult to observe as it spends a large proportion of time high up in coniferous trees. It is found in most parts of the country except the midlands and the North West. The red squirrel's preferred habitats are large coniferous woodlands with their favourite trees being Scots Pine and Larch. There has been a significant decrease in the numbers of red squirrels and they are thought to have become extinct on at least two occasions in Ireland. The current decline is attributed to factors such as pressure on its habitat from grey squirrels and due also to large scale forest clearance.
The red squirrel is the smaller of the two squirrel species found in Ireland. It measures approximately 40cm; this includes the tail which measures around 18cm. The red squirrel weighs around 300 grams but this can vary depending on the time of year and whether the squirrel is male or female.
Their fur colour appears brown but this can change from summer to winter. The most common variety is red in the summer and has prominent ear tufts but in winter its fur can range from a grey/black to ginger. The red squirrel also loses its ear tufts at this time and could easily be mistaken for a grey squirrel.
Red squirrels eat almost everything. This includes bark, tree buds, fruit, nuts and fungi. The grey squirrel, however, eats a wider variety of food than red squirrels and therefore they are more adaptable to varying conditions. They compete directly with the red squirrel for food which can result in food shortages for the latter and ultimately driving them out of an area. Squirrels are known to hoard food in times of plenty.
The Grey Squirrel
The grey squirrel is the other squirrel type found in Ireland. It is native to America and was introduced into Ireland approximately 65 years ago. The grey squirrel is mainly found in the north and the east of the country and it is replacing red squirrels where they are declining. The grey squirrel is thought to be more aggressive than its red counterpart and is now more commonly seen in many of our parks and woodlands.
Both red and grey squirrels are active by day and sleep by night in their nest called a 'drey'. They are most active in the summer months especially in the hours following sunrise and again before sunset. The squirrel is not a nocturnal animal and will rarely leave the drey after dark. Squirrels do not hibernate but they are not particularly active during the winter and tend to spend a great deal of time in their drey or in the vicinity of their drey. If the weather is severely cold or stormy a squirrel might not leave the drey for a few days at a time.
Female squirrels can have up to two litters per year with an average of three of four per litter. The young leave the drey when they are about 7 or 8 weeks old. Red and Grey squirrels do not interbreed.
