When to see them
Red squirrels are daytime creatures, dawn to dusk.Their activity begins at sunrise.During the summer months their peak activity is early morning( 2-4 hours after sunrise) and late afternoon( 2-4 hours before sunset). During the winter months they will leave the nest at sunrise and feed for a few hours on high energy natural food sources.However this can be variable depending on such things as weather conditions and the supply of natural food.
Reds do not like rain,wind and cold:retreating to their den or nest for shelter.They do not hibernate and will eventually have to come out to feed.In warm periods they can be seen stretched out on a branch to keep cool.
The breeding season is a good time to see them.This can be Jan to Feb when several males can be seen chasing a female in oestrus.The chases are fast and furious and quite spectacular to watch with huge leaps through the canopy, spiralling up and down tree trunks.Sometimes the males will fight and there might well be a certain amount of "chatter" Seven weeks after giving birth( Feb -April) the young reds( kittens) will venture out with their mother.After 10-12 weeks when the kittens are fully weaned and if there is sufficient food available the mating season will repeat.
They spend about 70% of their time feeding in trees but will forage on the ground looking for seeds and fungi and also annoy gardeners by burying surplus food in their manicured lawns.
Supplementary feeding will help towards reds breeding twice a season, especially during the summer months when natural food may be in short supply and this again is an area for watching reds. As with other animals there is a pecking order; more feed boxes the better.
Places in Northumberland to see Red Squirrels
It is intended to develop this web site as the definitive source of information for people in the North East area to know where they can go and see red squirrels as a guest, customer or visitor and serve as a tourist attraction for those outside the area.
It is a FOC maintained site and will include Country Parks,Hotels and Pubs,Golf Clubs, Camping and Caravan sites,Nature Reserves,Woods and Forests,B&Bs and Self Catering,Garden Centres and Nurseries,Country Houses,Estates and Gardens open to the public and even just a simple country walk.
Businesses etc will be invited to contact us with details.It is hoped this will be a success and participants will be invited to maintain a record of sightings as we hope to have a rating system based on 1 to 5 Red Squirrels indicating the likelyhood of seeing reds.
The following list is not in any particular order and please click on web site or email address to open up.
Garden Centres and Nurseries
Fir Tree Nursery is situated just outside Widdrington Station on the B1137 road to Ulgham.The proprietors, Sue and Mattie Matthewson are extremely proud of their "family" and only too keen for visitors to see them. Summer of 2009 they carried out a census using tail markings to identifying them. They were amazed to idenify eight when they originally thought they might at the most have four.Opening times are Wednesday to Friday 10-5pm. For further details ring Sue on 07737181826 or email pmatthewson@aol.com
Nature Reserves
Hartburn Glebe is situated in the village of Hartburn 4kms East of Scots Gap.It is owned by the Woodland Trust and covers an area of 8.48 acres alongside the Hart Burn.parking is extremely limited with no facilities.Reds are known to be established in the area but no guarantee of seeing them. For more information see The Woodland Trust web site www.wt-woods.org.uk or ring 01476581135.
Hauxley Nature Reserve is situated in Low Hauxley just off the A1068 a short distance south of Amble.Owned by Northumberland Wildlife Trust it has been created from open cast mining comprising of a lake sprinkled with islands.Resident and migrant birds can be seen from the hides with otters and now reds being seen.The reds do not appear to have established themselves in the area and possibly just"passing through" however there may be a link with nearby Druridge Bay Country Park.Facilities include toilets and car park.For further details ring 01665711578.
Hotels and pubs
Linden Hall Golf and Country Club is situated on the A697 just North of Longhorsley.Set in 450 acres of park and woodland it has long had an established colony of reds. Hotel guests and visitors are welcome to stroll through the grounds of this Grade II listed Georgian Country House and afterwards sample the pleasures of the Linden Tree Pub.for further details ring 0167050000 or visit the web site www.MacdonaldHotels.co.uk/LindenHall
Eshott Hall is situated a couple of miles east of the A1 between Morpeth and Felton.Boutique accommodation is offered at the 17th century country house and there are also holiday cottages within the grounds. Guests are welcome to walk in the surrounding gardens and woodland where many reds can be seen.For further details ring 01691 611015 or visit the web site www.eshotthall.co.uk
Longhirst Hotel and Conference Centre
Situated on the B1337 just north of Morpeth it is set in 75 acres of woodland and landscaped gardens.originally built as a Georgian family home it has a long tradition of being home to red squirrels.Visitors and guests should be careful when driving in the grounds as there have been many accidents involving reds over the years.For further details ring 01670791348 or visit the web site www.longhirstvenues.co.uk
Camping and Caravan sites
Honeysuckle Caravan Park is situated a couple of miles east of Widdrington Village which is on the A1068.The site caters for "statics" and tourers.The reds seem to be visitors but attracted by the feeding they get from the "human residents" they may well establish themselves in the area.For further information ring 01670761286 or email Les and Susan at Lpage-bathrooms@hotmail.com
Seddons Caravan Park is situated in the same area as above and caters for tourers and caravettes.Set in its own woodland it has an established colony of reds.They can be seen all year round,especially active spring and autumn.In summer they can be seen sunbathing on the branches of oak trees.Well behaved dogs( and owners) are welcome.Visitors to the area are requested to drive with caution as there have been a number of red road casualties over the years.The squirrel warning signs are there for a reason.For further information ring 01670760226 or email valerie@seddons.net
Wansbeck Riverside Park isowned by Northumberland County Council.It is situated on the river side and caters for tourers and campers.It is accessed from the A1068 between Ashington and Guidepost.There are about 6 feeders scattered throughout the site.However there have been no sightings of reds in March so far.For further information ring 01670812323
Northumberland County Council Country Parks
Plessey Woods Country Park, is situated on the A192 a mile from Cramlington.Set in 100 acres of woodland.meadows and riverside( Blyth) it has long been the home of reds although there has been the occassional sighting of a grey.4 reds were spotted at the same time at a feeding station May 2009.The park has many facilities to cover most needs.Further details can be obtained by emailing plesseywoods@northumberland.gov.uk or ring 01670824793
Bolam Lake Country Park , is situated just north of Belsay off the A696.With a lake,woodland and open grassed areas it has excellent facilities. .For further information ring 01661881234 or email bolamlake@northumberland.gov.uk
Druridge Bay Country Park is situated on the A1068 just south of the fishing village of Amble.The park has been recovered from open cast mining and includes 3.5 miles of beach with a lake surrounded by woods and meadows.There have been unconfirmed sightings of reds but it's a logical step with reds in areas outside the park. Spend some time trying to find a red!! For further information ring 01670760968.
Bedlington Country Park also serves as a Nature Reserve having over 5 miles of nature trails and paths alongside the banks of the River Blyth.It is situatedon the A193 south east of Bedlington.For further details ring 01670843444
Golf Clubs
Ponteland Golf Club is in Ponteland off the A696.According to the pro "they are all over the place" sometimes venturing quite fearlessly near the clubhouse.Theyare however mainly seen on the course.Non members are welcome .For further details ring 01661822689 or email alanrobsoncrosby@live.co.uk
Country Estates
Wallington, owned by the National Trust is situated on the B6343 west of Morpeth just before it reaches the A696. It is a working agricultural estate of 13,500 acres dating from 1688. It has always been known as a red squirrel area having its own Red Squirrel Walk of 2 miles and an observation hide.The population is now recovering from the pox outbreak in 2008 and regular sightings are taking place at the hide.For further information ring 01670773967(information line) 773600 or email wallington@nationaltrust.org.uk
Cragside, also owned by the trust is situated on the B6341 some 13 miles south west of Alnwick.This amazing Victorian House and estate was formerly owned by the famous industrialist Lord Armstrong and is an outstanding example of the era.For further details ring 01669620333 or email cragside@nationaltrust.org.uk
Belsay Hall and Gardens, owned by English Heritage, is situated on the A696 north west of Ponteland.It is a fine medieval castle enlarged into a mansion in the 17th century.They have had problems with incursion by greys causing reds to die from Squirrel Pox.For further information ring 01661881636
Country Houses and Gardens
Howick Hall Gardens has been owned by the Grey family ( Earl Grey tea!) since 1319, the present occupants being Lord and Lady Howick.Reds can be seen in the wooded area of the gardens and arboretum as well as feeding outside the tea room.It is situated on the B1340 which is off the A1 near Alnwick. Further information from 01665577285 or visit the web site www.howickhallgardens.org
B&Bs
Chatton Park House in Chatton Alnwick is a 5* B&B set in 4 acres of private gardens.Michelle the proprietor reports that several guests have sighted reds in the grounds but as yet not by her.However a priority is now to put a feeder in the garden which can be seen from the dining room. For further details ring 01668215507 or visit the web site www.chattonpark.com
Bridgeford Farm Bellingham is a working farm where Isobel Wallace runs the 4*B&B.Reds are regular visitors and with a feeder outside the dining area a good chance of seeing them if they are around. Watch the dog: it knows when they are in the area.For further details ring 01434220940 or visit their web site www.bridgefordfarmbandb.co.uk
Falstone B&B run by Sylvia and Don Clegg have seen as many as nine at the same time.Some of them are moulting at the moment and most certainly do not look good.For more details ring 01434240093 or email donclegg@btopenworld.com
Felton has Bichwood House run by Gaye & Lawrence Blewitt have reds which visitors see as they drive or walk through the entrance.There have been several red fatalities and guests are requested to be alert to the problem.Phone no. is 01670787828,email address is gbblewitt@btinternet.com or visit their web site www.birchwood-house.co.uk
Self Catering
Micklewood Park is set in the grounds of Longhirst Hall.See Longhirst Hotel above.For further details ring 01670794530 or visit the web site www.micklewoodpark.com
Cheviot Holiday Cottages set in 3.5 acres is located in the tranquil Breamish Valley near Alnwick.Reds are seen regularly and are very fond of the nuts from the walnut tree.Contact Trysha on 01665578236 or visit the web site www.cheviotholidaycottages.co.uk
Low Alwinton's 5 cottages are set in a wooded valley on the banks of the River Coquet in the heart of Northumberland's National Park.Visitors even come from from London to see their reds.High praise indeed.For further details visit their web site www.lowalwinton.co.uk
Bockenfield Holiday Park at Felton just north of Morpeth on the A1 is a new development.However visitors have already seen reds.A couple from Surrey who recently saw them were delighted to see them having only seen greys before.For further information ring 01670 787643 or visit the web site www.welchshomes.com
Lumbylaw Cottages are set in an organic livestock farm situated amidst the Cheviots and Simonside Hills where reds are occassionally seen in the nearby woods. For futher details see their web site www.lumbylaw.co.uk
Guyanze Hall and it's holiday cottages are situated within a private 800 acre estate a few mile east of th A1 between Morpeth and Alnwick.Guests staying at the Hall and the cottages are able to see many red squirrels within the grounds. For further details ring 01691 611011 or visit the website www.guyzancehall.co.uk
