FOR the first time in this country, there is evidence that native red squirrels are recolonising an area that they had previously lost to their competitors, the alien grey squirrel. The Anglesey Red Squirrel Project has reported extremely encouraging news from Newborough Forest where 23 young have been born this year. This is a great achievement for the reintroduction programme and proves that the red squirrels are beginning to happily live and breed in this area which has been cleared of grey squirrels. Dr Craig Shuttleworth from the project is delighted with the number of births. "Some of these youngsters were born in the wild, and some in captivity and have now been released into the wild," he explained. "All are tagged and are living happily in the forest where they are establishing their own overlapping home ranges. Reds are relatively solitary creatures, but you do see the youngsters playing together and in cold winters animals will share nests to keep warm." Charles Dutton of the European Squirrel Initiative, a supporter of the Anglesey Project commented: "The Anglesey Project has nationwide significance. "It proves that if we can rid our forests of the alien grey squirrel it is possible for the native reds to re-establish themselves. We at the European Squirrel Initiative applaud their success and continue to lobby for a dedicated programme to restore the red squirrel to its natural habitats throughout Britain and Ireland. It is a pity, though, that the Forestry Commission and the Countryside Council for Wales are planning on clear-felling part of Newborough forest, home to this successful project." Supporters of the red squirrel met at a conference in Anglesey on Saturday to discuss various aspects of squirrel management. At the conference, Charles Dutton underlined the threat that the grey squirrel poses to Britain's woodlands and wildlife. "The grey squirrel has now colonised 90% of England and Wales and is widespread in Scotland. It is a carrier of a disease that is deadly to red squirrels and history and research has proved that it is impossible for the two species to live together in the same habitats." At Anglesey, Craig Shuttleworth is optimistic about the future of the red squirrel if the grey can be kept at bay. "Our reds are now enjoying life in the forest and we have good reason to believe that the colony will continue to grow and prosper. They have been native inhabitants of British woodlands since the Ice Age and it is wonderful to see them back where they belong." | 
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