Appeal for volunteers to monitor Montalto Estate’s red squirrels

Appeal for volunteers to monitor Montalto Estate’s red squirrels

27 June 2018

AN appeal has been launched for volunteers to help protect endangered red squirrels at Montalto Estate in Ballynahinch.

The appeal was launched by Ulster Wildlife after a red squirrel was recently sighted in the estate.

Montalto was once a safe haven for red squirrels until they were pushed out by the invasive non-native grey squirrel, which was introduced to Britain and Ireland in the 1870s as a fashionable addition to estates.

The unexpected introduction of grey squirrels caused them to compete for necessities such as food and places to live, resulting in them out-competing the native reds. 

The grey squirrels also transmitted the deadly squirrel pox virus to red squirrels which, unlike the greys, had not developed an immunity.

As a result, red squirrels coming in contact with the disease died around 15 days of being infected, thus further decreasing their dwindling numbers.

To help save Montalto’s reds and give them a fighting chance of survival, Ulster Wildlife plans to help establish a new red squirrel volunteer group in the local area.

A workshop will take place at the estate on July 23 for anyone interested in helping with conservation efforts.

Volunteers are needed to monitor woodlands for red squirrels, grey squirrels and pine marten, using camera traps and feeders to gather information about where they are nesting and breeding so that efforts can be focused more effectively and efficiently.

Volunteers are also sought after to help prevent the re-invasion of greys into the area which will further reinforce the reds’ increased survival rate.

Shanna Rice, Ulster Wildlife’s Red Squirrel Officer for the Mournes, said: “Thanks to the work undertaken by Wilson Johnston, Montalto Estate’s volunteer ranger, we are fortunate to have an optimum site for red squirrels to thrive in.

“With one red already being spotted in the estate and several more sightings in the surrounding area, it hopefully won’t be long before we see them in the grounds once more.”

She continued: “Volunteers play a crucial role in enabling red squirrels to thrive as clearly shown by the vital work carried out by Tollymore Red Squirrel Group.

“Through the establishment of a similar network of volunteers in Montalto and the surrounding area, they can help give our reds a fighting chance of survival reassuring us that the heart of Down can become a stronghold for these iconic creatures once again.”

Ulster Wildlife hopes that with continued volunteer efforts, captive bred red squirrels from Belfast Zoo can be released into Montalto and help give the declining red squirrel population the significant boost it needs to recover.

Members of the public who live in Ballynahinch and the surrounding towns and villages are being urged to help by reporting sightings of both red and grey squirrels visiting gardens.

With these joint efforts the charity hopes that they can return the red squirrels back to their podium in the natural order of the surrounding wildlife, allowing them to thrive and live in peace once again.

Montalto has announced that it is due to open to the public later this year and will give people the chance to reconnect with nature while exploring the estate, hopefully allowing the lucky visitors to spot a few red squirrels along the way.