Red Squirrel group makes a plea for volunteers

Established in September 2010, the group is made up of volunteers whose aim is to raise awareness of the protected local red squirrel within the Derry City and Strabane District Council areas.

The group works with these local councils, voluntary organisations, institutions, business and local residents, in a common effort, to protect and enhance the red squirrel, for wildlife conservation and to control the grey squirrel, to prevent the spread of the fatal squirrel pox virus.

The group has a web site, www.nwredsquirrel.org, where people can find out more about squirrels and report local sightings of red and grey squirrels to the biodiversity officer. The group also has a Facebook presence northwestredsquirrelgroup where members post relevant news about squirrels and photographs from various events to promote their work.

A small group, they would welcome new members. Their next meeting is tomorrow, Thursday, December 4 at 7pm at the National Trust offices in Bishop Street, 1 St Columbs Court, when Dr David Tosh, Queens University will talking on his project to survey red squirrels and pine martins and how the public can help. The group’s annual general meeting will follow. Light refreshments provided.

Please attend and help protect the native red squirrel population.