Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2006 | Page 51

ISLE OF WIGHT - WILDLIFE Where to see red squirrels on the Island… Eaglehead and Bloodstone Copses (Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust) One of the best examples of chalk woodland on the Island. Autumn’s the time for red squirrels. The copses are perfect thanks to their ash and oak woodland and mature hazel coppice. A footpath runs the length of the reserve. Nearest town: Brading. Parking: Limited. Approximately 1 mile to the west of Brading on the road to Arreton is a lay-by with a footpath sign for the entrance. Also… Photographer - Darin Smith Parkhurst Forest (Forest Enterprise) Centrally located woodland of broadleaves and conifers. A special red squirrel safari starts from the main car park. Includes a sculpture trail and squirrel viewing hide. Firestone Copse (Forest Enterprise) A mixed woodland with a large car park and easily accessible. All walks from the car park. …and how you can attract them to your garden • Provide a good source of food by planting trees including hazel, elderberry, hawthorn, guelder rose and sweet chestnut. • Put down extra food in the spring and early summer when berries are scarce. Use good quality peanuts, hazelnut and, for extra calcium, the odd carrot. • Do not encourage squirrels if you think your cat or dog will bother them. • Garden troughs and water butts are also dangerous as squirrels fall in and then cannot get out because of the slippery surface. • Keep garden netting to a minimum. It can trap squirrels. For more information, contact the Wildlife Trust: web: www.hwt.org.uk post: Wight Wildlife, 2 High Street, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1SS tel/fax: [phone] email: [email protected] 10 Fascinating Facts 1. Despite popular belief, they do not hibernate over winter 2. They can swim 3. They can be right or left handed when they eat a pine cone 4. They moult their ear tufts once a year, in late autumn 5. They can live to six years of age 6. They have four fingers and five toes 7. They are not always red in colour but can also be brown, almost black or quite grey 8. They can hang upside down 9. They can have two litters a year, with 3 – 4 kittens in each litter 10. Weight is 275-300 gms. This is the same as four mars bars or a packet of biscuits. Photographer - Darin Smith Island Life - www.isleofwight.net 51