|
|
Christine captures stunning shot
of red squirrel
02.09.15
by Linda McGrory
THIS native red squirrel looks straight from the
pages of a Beatrix Potter book as it chomps on a
peanut in an Inishowen forest.
Wildlife photographer Christine Cassidy captured the
gorgeous portrait of the endangered little mammal as
it recently foraged for food in Lisnagrath Woods,
Muff.
The rust-coloured animal was the essence of
'bright-eyed and bushy tailed' as it stocked up for
winter.
And it was clearly enjoying the nuts Christine
brought along to help supplement its natural
woodland diet of forest fruits, seeds and berries. |
 |
|
Native red squirrel pictured feeding
at Lisnagrath Woods, Muff, by Christine Cassidy. |
Adult red squirrels can
grow to about 25cm in length and weigh up to 400g.
They use their characteristically bushy tail for
balance during their aerial acrobatics in the
tree-tops.
Christine, who is a founding member of Wild
Inishowen and vice-chair of the North West Red
Squirrel Group in Derry, said the peninsula had
become an important habitat for the conservation of
the protected species.
She said its coastal nature was less hospitable to
the invasive grey squirrel which is twice the size
and brasher than the timid, indigenous red.
Grey squirrels, introduced here from America in
1911, also carry a pox virus that is fatal to the
native species.
"There is quite a healthy population of red
squirrels in and around Inishowen. A few grey
squirrels have been seen in Inishowen but not as
many grey squirrels as we would have in the north
west," Christine explained.
"The greys use tree lines to move across areas so
thankfully there wouldn't be as many tree lines
around Inishowen and the coastal areas of the
peninsula.
"We have a few good sites in the north west were the
red squirrels are doing well, unfortunately in other
areas of Derry the red squirrels have moved on due
to development, disturbance and the presence of grey
squirrels," she added. |
|
